Schalke vs Paderborn Prediction and Betting Tips for the 2. Bundesliga showdown scheduled for Friday, November 28, 2025, at 17:30 GMT. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Bundesliga 3 (Ger) and WOW (Ger) from the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen. Both clubs are separated by just a single point in the table, Schalke sit second with 28, while Paderborn lead with 29. You can explore detailed 2. Bundesliga Stats for more insights and data-driven betting ideas.

• Top-of-the-table clash as Schalke host Paderborn in Gelsenkirchen.
• Only one point separates the two sides in the 2. Bundesliga standings.
• Schalke’s strong defense faces Paderborn’s dynamic attack.
• Expect plenty of corners and late drama under the Friday night lights.

For Schalke, this is more than just a regular match. It’s a statement game. After a frustrating 0–0 draw against Münster despite playing with an extra man for over 35 minutes, there’s pressure to deliver in front of the home fans. Missing key names like Gomis, Højlund, and Becker, Schalke’s lineup feels thinner than usual. Still, they’ve been remarkably solid defensively, averaging just 0.5 goals conceded per game and recording seven clean sheets this season. Can they hold firm again? That’s the big question. Their home form has been decent, but the lack of finishing touch is becoming a real issue.

What’s fascinating is how Schalke’s style has evolved. They’re no longer a possession-heavy side, their 41% average ball control is the lowest in the league, but it’s their discipline off the ball that’s kept them near the top. With an average of 12.5 corners per match, Schalke create chaos through width and set pieces. They’ve hit over 8.5 corners in 83% of their games, showing how often they push deep into the opponent’s box. Still, fatigue and limited options could catch up to them if they can’t strike early.

Paderborn, on the other hand, have been the quiet juggernaut of the division. Despite losing 0–2 to Hannover last weekend, their form remains strong, four wins in the last five away games speak volumes. The side looks sharp in transitions and consistently find gaps on the break, averaging 1.33 goals scored and only 0.5 conceded per match. That balance is rare. Their resilience has earned them 29 points and a narrow lead at the summit. Coach Ralf Kettemann’s men don’t need to dazzle, they just know how to grind out wins.

Historically, this fixture has delivered goals and momentum swings. The last five meetings saw both teams scoring in four of them, with over 1.5 goals every time. Still, Schalke’s absences tilt the balance slightly toward the visitors. Even so, expect an even battle filled with energy and set-piece tension. Whether it’s a narrow Schalke win or another efficient Paderborn performance, it’s likely to be close. For those tracking form, the 2. Bundesliga Stats suggest one thing above all: corners, corners, corners.