Hertha Berlin 1-2 Paderborn - 2. Bundesliga 2024/2025 Statistical Preview

Cristian Fiel is set to opt for a 4-4-2 system when he takes charge of Hertha Berlin for the first time on Saturday afternoon.
New signings Michael Cuisance and Diego Demme are both in contention for starts after featuring in the club's final pre-season friendly.
There will be no Fabian Reese during the opening weeks of the 2024/25 campaign after he picked up a serious ankle injury during a friendly against Cottbus.

Only five players in Paderborn's expected line-up for Saturday's game were at the club last season with Lukas Kwasniok orchestrating a major squad revolution ahead of the new 2. Bundesliga season.
While the playing squad has changed significantly, the set-up remains the same: a 3-4-3 with attack-minded wing-backs and three forwards comfortable playing more central roles.

Standings

R	Team	W	D	L	Pts
6	Paderborn	7	7	3	28
12	H. Berlin	6	4	7	22

Prediction

Hertha Berlin's board called time on Pal Dardai's reign over the summer after he guided the club to an underwhelming ninth-place finish on their return to the second tier. In comes Cristian Fiel, whose time at Nürnberg last season received a mixed response, to say the least. Strong reinforcements have arrived to bolster the playing squad, so promotion will be the goal for the capital-based club this year.
After ending the 2023/24 campaign with four wins from their final five league games, Lukas Kwasniok has doubled down on his 3-4-3 system, bringing in a host of new names who are expected to play significant roles over the course of the season. This will represent a tough test on the opening day as they travel to the Olympiastadion to face Hertha Berlin.

Hertha Berlin

Paderborn

Ratings

Goals

Assists

Paderborn will score a long shot

Hertha Berlin will control the game in the opposition's half

* Match forecast is generated from clashes in team characteristics.