German Bundesliga - Fortuna Dusseldorf vs. Paderborn - Preview & Prediction
By Valdis Pans
Fortunes Are Mixed For Fortuna
The return to Bundesliga last season following a five-year absence turned out quite successful for Fortuna Dusseldorf, who ended the campaign in the 10th place and reached the Round of 16 of the German cup (DFB-Pokal). This year, though, things are not looking as good, with the team currently occupying the 16th place with 22 points from 25 outings (W5 D7 L13), facing a relegation playoff game, with only Werder Bremen (17th; 18 points) and Paderborn (18th; 16 points) placed lower. Sitting just four points from safety, Die Flingeraner have encouraged with their last performances, though, going W2 D5 L1 in their last eight contests in all competitions.
Thirty-two-year-old veteran forward Rouwen Hennings leads his team with 11 snipes, having netted the same amount of goals as his teammates Erik Thommy (5), Kenan Karaman (4) and Kaan Ayhan (2) all three together. Stepping in for injured No. 1 goalie Zack Steffen, 22-year-old Florian Kastenmeier has made 30 saves in eight starts this season, posting one clean sheet. He is conceding a goal every 51 minutes on average. Fortuna Dusseldorf, meanwhile, are bottom of the league in goals (27), 4th in least shots recorded (305), and have posted just an average of 45.7% of ball possession.
Paderborn Hit The Bottom
Having enjoyed back-to-back promotions from Germany’s third division in 2017-18 through 2. Bundesliga in 2018-19 to top tier this season, Paderborn has had quite a ride. Another year in Bundesliga next season, though, seems highly unlikely, as the team presently sits dead last in the league standings, having collected just 16 points from 25 fixtures (W4 D4 L17). After a promising run between Dec. 8-Jan. 25 (W3 D1 L2), Paderborn have managed to pick up just a single point since then (D1 L5), going with four consecutive defeats in their last four games, being just one defeat away from matching they worst run this season.
Strikers Streli Mamba and Dennis Srbeny lead Paderborn in goals, having picked up five and four strikes respectively, with midfielder Kai Proger (2 goals) leading the assists chart with six helpers. Goalie Leopold Zingerle has made 19 starts thus far this season, currently sitting 9th in the league in most shots saved (68). He has recorded three clean sheets and gives up a goal every 46 minutes. The team, meanwhile, is 3rd worst in total goals buried (30) and 5th in least shots registered (311). It controls the ball 47.0% of the time on average.
Prediction
Paderborn is going down! And they know it! And while relegation is almost certain for the worst team in Bundesliga at the moment, at least Paderborn is choosing to have some fun with it, preferring an attacking mindset throughout the whole misery the team is going through this season. Having said that, don’t expect an easy contest against a squad that sits just two places above them. Fortuna Dusseldorf are determined to avoid relegation this season and have shown their desperation in their past six matchups, losing just one of them (W1 D4 L1). Yes, Fortuna Dusseldorf has triumphed in just one of their last 10 meetings with Paderborn (W1 D4 L5). But, do go with the more desperate team in this one!
Best bet:
Fortuna Dusseldorf to win (+120)
