Paderborn host VfB Stuttgart in the second round of the DFB Pokal on October 28, 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 17:00 local time at the Home Deluxe Arena. The teams met earlier this month, when Stuttgart won 2-0 away from home, but their latest results give this cup tie a different backdrop. Paderborn arrive after a victory over Hamburger SV, while Stuttgart are looking to respond to a defeat against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Both sides won their opening DFB Pokal match, so this meeting offers a chance to extend their cup run.

Paderborn's Recent Form and Key Stats

Paderborn beat Hamburger SV 1-0 on October 24. Across their last five matches, they have recorded three wins, one draw and one defeat, averaging 1.4 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per game. That record gives them a positive run of results heading into the rematch with Stuttgart, even if their recent scoring average suggests they cannot rely on goals arriving in large numbers.

Their DFB Pokal campaign began with a win in which they scored four times and conceded twice. Paderborn have also won at half-time in seven of their last ten matches in the competition, a notable record as they prepare to face a side with strong first-half figures of their own. At home, corners have been frequent: over 8.5 corners were taken in 19 of Paderborn's last 20 home matches. That trend describes the total corners in those games, rather than corners taken by Paderborn alone.

There are personnel concerns for the hosts. Nyamekye Awortwie-Grant and Sebastian Klaas were described as uncertain to feature, while Oliver Batista Meier was expected to miss out because of an ankle injury. Marcel Hoffmeier had recently dealt with muscular problems. In attack, Stefano Marino was identified as Paderborn's leading scorer with three goals for the season. His contribution could be particularly important against a Stuttgart side that kept a clean sheet in the teams' most recent meeting.

VfB Stuttgart's Recent Form and Key Stats

VfB Stuttgart lost 3-2 to Borussia Mönchengladbach on October 23. Their last five matches have produced two wins, one draw and two defeats, with averages of 1.6 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per game. The recent setback is a reason for caution, but Stuttgart can also draw confidence from their record against Paderborn. The supplied head-to-head summary lists three Stuttgart wins and two draws in five meetings, including the 2-0 victory on October 10.

Stuttgart opened their DFB Pokal campaign with a win, scoring four goals without conceding. Their wider cup record points to a persistent scoring threat: they have found the net at least once in 20 of their last 21 DFB Pokal matches. More than 1.5 total goals were scored in each of their last ten away cup fixtures. Goals after the interval are another recurring feature, with at least one second-half goal in each of Stuttgart's last 12 away matches in the competition.

First-half results have also been a strength in cup matches. Stuttgart led at the break in seven of their last ten away DFB Pokal fixtures and avoided a half-time deficit in 24 of their last 26 matches in the competition. As for availability, Josha Vagnoman was dealing with a thigh injury, Nikolas Nartey was expected to miss the match because of muscular problems, and Tiago Tomas was not yet ready to return. Ermedin Demirovic, with seven goals for the season, was identified as Stuttgart's leading scorer.

Paderborn vs VfB Stuttgart Match Analysis

This DFB Pokal meeting brings together Paderborn's stronger five-match results and Stuttgart's unbeaten head-to-head record. The hosts have won three of their last five and will take encouragement from their latest 1-0 success. Stuttgart, meanwhile, have not had as smooth a recent run, yet they won at the Home Deluxe Arena earlier in October and have repeatedly scored in this competition. Neither the previous 2-0 result nor the latest defeats alone tell the whole story of the upcoming match.

The first half could be closely contested. Paderborn have frequently led at the interval in DFB Pokal matches, but Stuttgart's cup results show they are rarely behind at half-time. The visitors' record of second-half goals in away cup fixtures also means the contest may develop after the break. Those trends make it difficult to treat an early lead for either side as the full measure of the tie.

The strongest distinction is Stuttgart's record in this matchup: Paderborn have no wins in the five meetings covered by the supplied head-to-head summary, while Stuttgart have three. Paderborn's recent form makes another home defeat far from inevitable, especially with Stuttgart arriving after a 3-2 loss. Nevertheless, the visitors' 2-0 win here earlier this month, their scoring consistency in the DFB Pokal and their head-to-head advantage provide the clearest case for a narrow away lean.

Paderborn vs VfB Stuttgart prediction from BetMines: VfB Stuttgart win (2) with 51% probability.