Mainz vs SC Paderborn – News and Probable Lineups

Recently promoted SC Paderborn will commence their Bundesliga season on Saturday with an away match against Mainz 05 at MEWA Arena.

Die Nullfunfer are eager to establish a strong foothold following a tumultuous 2025-26 campaign, while Paderborn is keen to avoid losing their first fixture back in the top flight.

Match overview

Prior to the arrival of Urs Fischer in December 2025, Mainz found themselves unexpectedly involved in a relegation struggle, but the 60-year-old head coach managed to turn the situation around, achieving a 10th-place finish.

In the 2026-27 season, Die Nullfunfer aim for more than just survival; they are targeting a return to European competition, a goal that has gained momentum through their pre-season preparations.

Fischer’s squad concluded the previous term with a 2-0 victory against Heidenheim, and they remain unbeaten since, winning seven and drawing one out of their eight friendly matches played this summer.

Adding to their confidence is Mainz’s 9-0 victory over Krieschow in the DFB-Pokal on Sunday, where striker Phillip Tietz scored four times.

Nevertheless, the hosts must leave behind the disappointments of the previous season to secure all three points this weekend, especially given that they lost their last three Bundesliga matches at MEWA Arena last time around.

On the flip side, Ralf Kettemann’s Paderborn secured promotion to the Bundesliga after triumphing 2-1 on aggregate in their playoff against Wolfsburg, and they will be eager to demonstrate that their success wasn’t a fluke.

Similar to their opponents, Paderborn approaches this encounter having maintained an unbeaten streak throughout the summer following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season – recording five wins and three draws in their last eight matches overall.

While Kettemann’s team is regarded as the underdogs for this fixture, they will gain confidence from their 4-2 cup victory against Phonix Lubeck on Sunday.

Paderborn established a two-goal lead in that DFB-Pokal clash during the first half and managed to hold onto it, conceding only a second goal (with the score at 4-1) through an own goal from Tjark Scheller.

Apart from their recent success, Paderborn’s away performance since early February offers further encouragement – they have won five, drawn five, and suffered just one defeat in their last 11 away fixtures.

Team News

This weekend, Mainz will be somewhat short in attack, missing strikers Benedict Hollerbach and Silas, who are both nearing returns from Achilles and ankle injuries respectively.

In their absence, Sheraldo Becker and Phillip Tietz may form a striking partnership on Saturday, with support from wing-backs Anthony Caci and Philipp Mwene.

Additionally, Eric Martel is working his way back from a knee injury, while fellow midfielder Paul Nebel is dealing with a groin issue, so expect Kaishu Sano to be in the center alongside Lee Jae-sung and Nadiem Amiri.

As for Paderborn, they will be without attacking midfielders Sebastian Klaas (groin), Sven Michel (muscle), and Timur Gayret (ACL), but Laurin Ulrich and Santiago Castaneda are set to feature from the start.

In defense, centre-back Nyamekye Awortwie-Grant is out due to a knee injury, so Jano ter Horst, Tjark Scheller, and Mattes Hansen are expected to protect goalkeeper Nahuel Noll.

Mainz 05 probable starting XI:

Zentner; Da Costa, Posch, Kohr; Sano; Caci, Lee, Amiri, Mwene; Becker, Tietz

SC Paderborn probable starting XI:

zero; Ter Horst, Scheller, Hansen; Curda, Ulrich, Castaneda, Obermair, Millgram, Marino, Vidovic

Mainz displayed a consistent attacking mindset during pre-season and continued that form into their DFB-Pokal matchup last weekend, and such offensive capability should enable them to emerge victorious against their visitors in this Bundesliga opener.

Nonetheless, Paderborn will strive to prevent an embarrassing defeat after their promotion, and it is expected they will find the back of the net as well.