Match Information
Match Overview
Borussia Dortmund host SC Paderborn 07 at Signal Iduna Park on September 12, 2026, in a Regular Season - 3 fixture that finds both clubs still shaping their identity for the campaign. Dortmund sit second in the table, while Paderborn occupy 13th, a gap that already frames this as a clash between a side pushing for the top positions and one looking to settle into mid-table security.
Dortmund's form heading into this match is built on consistency across competitions. Their September 5 win at 1899 Hoffenheim (2-3) followed a comfortable 5-0 DFB Pokal victory away at HEBC on September 1, and a 2-0 home win over Hamburger SV on August 29. The one blemish is the August 22 Super Cup Final loss to Bayern München, but that came in a one-off showpiece rather than league combat, and the subsequent league results suggest no lingering effect on Kovač's side. The attacking output — five goals against Hoffenheim's defense combined with three away at Hoffenheim alone — points to a team scoring freely regardless of opponent.
Paderborn's away form deserves particular attention given they must travel to one of the league's toughest venues. Their most recent trip, a 0-0 draw at FSV Mainz 05 on August 29, showed defensive discipline, but they were unable to find the net. Their September 5 home defeat to SC Freiburg (0-1) further underlines a team still searching for attacking rhythm, having managed only draws and a narrow loss in their last three competitive fixtures outside the DFB Pokal.
With no injury absences reported for either club, both managers can select from full-strength squads, meaning team selection will hinge on tactical preference rather than enforced changes. Dortmund's early-season position and attacking form make this a clear test of whether Paderborn's defensive solidity can hold up against a side scoring at pace.
Predicted Lineups
Borussia Dortmund
G. Kobel; Kouakou Joane Gadou, W. Anton, F. Mané; J. Ryerson, J. Bellingham, F. Nmecha, D. Svensson, K. Karetsas, M. Beier; S. Guirassy
SC Paderborn 07
N. Noll; J. ter Horst, T. Scheller, M. Hansen; L. Curda, L. Ulrich, S. Castañeda, G. Vidović, R. Obermair; M. Pieringer, R. Philippe
Team Form Analysis
Borussia Dortmund
League Position: 2Borussia Dortmund Form Analysis
Dortmund arrive in excellent shape, having won their last three competitive matches prior to this fixture. The September 5 win at Hoffenheim (2-3) and the September 1 DFB Pokal rout at HEBC (0-5) showcase a side capable of scoring in bunches, whether in league or cup competition, while the August 29 home win over Hamburger SV (2-0) reflects control in front of their own supporters. The only setback in this run came in the August 22 Super Cup Final against Bayern München, a single-match occasion decided 2-1 against them, though this has not disrupted their league momentum. Defensively, Dortmund have shown they can absorb pressure and still win, as seen in the 2-3 scoreline at Hoffenheim where they conceded twice but still secured victory. Their August 15 friendly draw with AS Roma (2-2) offered an early look at squad depth before the competitive season intensified. Currently second in the table, Dortmund's attacking output across their last several matches has been a clear strength, with goals coming from multiple fixtures rather than one isolated performance.
SC Paderborn 07
League Position: 13SC Paderborn 07 Form Analysis
Paderborn's recent form shows a team yet to find consistency in the league, sitting 13th in the standings. Their September 5 home defeat to SC Freiburg (0-1) and August 29 away draw at FSV Mainz 05 (0-0) reflect a run without a league win, with just one goal scored across those two fixtures. Their attacking output has been limited domestically, though the August 23 DFB Pokal win away at Phönix Lübeck (4 goals scored in a 2-4 victory) shows the squad can be productive against different levels of opposition. Defensively, the side has generally kept things tight, conceding only once in their last two league outings, suggesting organizational solidity even without attacking returns. Their August 8 friendly draw at Werder Bremen (2-2) and August 1 friendly win at VfL Osnabrück (0-2) rounded out preseason preparation. Heading to Signal Iduna Park, Paderborn will need to translate their defensive discipline into a result against a Dortmund side scoring freely in September.
Head-to-Head
Borussia Dortmund
SC Paderborn 07
Recent Meetings
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-02-02 | Borussia Dortmund | 3 - 2 AET | SC Paderborn 07 |
| 2020-08-28 | Borussia Dortmund | 1 - 1 | SC Paderborn 07 |
| 2020-05-31 | SC Paderborn 07 | 1 - 6 | Borussia Dortmund |
| 2019-11-22 | Borussia Dortmund | 3 - 3 | SC Paderborn 07 |
| 2015-10-28 | Borussia Dortmund | 7 - 1 | SC Paderborn 07 |
| 2015-04-18 | Borussia Dortmund | 3 - 0 | SC Paderborn 07 |
| 2014-11-22 | SC Paderborn 07 | 2 - 2 | Borussia Dortmund |
Memorable Matches
The history between these two clubs includes some striking scorelines. On October 28, 2015, Dortmund produced a 7-1 demolition of Paderborn, one of the most emphatic results in this fixture's history. Their February 2, 2021 meeting saw Dortmund edge a tighter contest 3-2, while the November 22, 2019 clash ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw, showing Paderborn's capacity to trade blows with their more fashionable opponents on occasion. Earlier still, the November 22, 2014 meeting finished level at 2-2, another reminder that despite Dortmund's overall dominance in this fixture, Paderborn have periodically found ways to share the points.
Venue Factor
Signal Iduna Park is one of the Bundesliga's most recognizable venues, and the scale of its home crowd is a factor visiting sides must contend with. For Paderborn, the trip represents a significant step up in atmosphere compared to their recent away fixture at Mainz on August 29, where they held firm for a 0-0 draw. Dortmund's home form this season includes a 2-0 win over Hamburger SV on August 29, suggesting comfort in front of their
Injury Concerns
Borussia Dortmund
SC Paderborn 07
