Borussia Mönchengladbach
Alexander Blessin has more options available after Gladbach's victories over Stuttgart and Karlsruhe. Isac Lidberg, Daiki Hashioka and Nicolas Kühn are back in contention, although their return to the squad does not automatically mean they will start. Shuto Machino is expected to remain the centre-forward, with Robin Hack and Wael Mohya the leading candidates for the two supporting roles.
The back three presents a tougher decision. Hashioka is available again, Ko Itakura made his comeback as a substitute in the cup, and Philipp Sander remains eligible for Bundesliga matches despite his dismissal against Karlsruhe. Kevin Diks is still short of training time, while Hugo Bolin and Franck Honorat are unavailable. Hack's attacking influence in the last two victories gives him a strong claim to start, with Lidberg and Kühn offering potential options from the bench.
SC Paderborn
Ralf Kettemann faces another attacking selection decision after Gabriel Vidović's fitness problems. The midfielder was replaced at half-time against Hamburg and remains doubtful, while Sven Michel's availability is also uncertain. Tom Baack could take a more advanced role behind the forwards if Vidović cannot feature. Steffen Tigges and Stefano Marino have started together in recent league matches, with Rayan Philippe providing an alternative after scoring the winner against Hamburg.
Paderborn will again be without Timur Gayret, Nyamekye Awortwie-Grant, Oliver Batista Meier and Sebastian Klaas. Captain Felix Götze returned to the starting line-up in the cup defeat to Stuttgart, but Kettemann has not committed to starting him again. Laurin Curda was sent off in that match, yet his two-game suspension applies to cup football rather than the Bundesliga. He can therefore return to the right flank, while Mattes Hansen, Tjark Scheller and Jano ter Horst are candidates to reunite in defence.
