Preview: Phonix Lubeck vs SC Paderborn - prediction, team news, lineups

Phonix Lubeck have the chance to test themselves against Bundesliga opposition when they take on SC Paderborn in the first round of the DFB Pokal this Sunday.

The visitors are regarded as huge favourites for this weekend’s fixture - perhaps the only time they will hold the favourites tag following their promotion to the elite of German football.

Match preview

Phonix Lubeck appointed Kevin Wolk as their new head coach this summer, and the 41-year-old German has made a decent start to the new Regionalliga Nord season.

The team are four games deep into the new season in the fourth tier, and they have already accumulated seven points, two wins and three clean sheets.

Their last victory was particularly impressive, given they thrashed local rivals VfB Lubeck 4-0 - just their second derby victory in five years.

This Sunday, Phonix will actually take over VfL Lubeck’s Stadion an der Lohmuhle for the DFB Pokal game, simply because their own ground was not deemed suitable for such a high-profile fixture.

Speaking of the club, Phonix return to the competition for the first time since the 2024-25 campaign, when they were beaten in the first round by Borussia Dortmund.

After narrowly missing out on promotion in the 2024/25 season, Paderborn continued their push for the Bundesliga in the following campaign under new boss Ralf Kettemann.

Ultimately, the club bagged a third-placed finish last season, earning them a promotion playoff clash against Wolfsburg, who had just finished third-bottom in the topflight.

A 2-1 victory in extra time saw Paderborn celebrate a third promotion to the Bundesliga in 12 years, though now their goal is trying to actually remain in the Bundesliga for more than one season - something they have never previously achieved.

In order to give themselves the best shot of survival, the club have made 13 new signings over the summer, including the headline £2m signing of Dinamo Zagreb’s left winger Gabriel Vidovic.

Putting league stresses aside, Paderborn will be hoping to kick off the season with a positive result in the DFB Pokal - a competition which saw them reach a couple of quarter-finals in 2018 and 2019.

Phonix Lubeck form (all competitions):

L W D W

SC Paderborn friendly form:

W W D

Team News

Phonix have signed new goalkeeper Christopher Barkmann, though Tim Kips is expected to keep his place in the team.

New defenders Jannis Farr and Daniel Haritonov are also expected to feature, with the former man currently boasting one of the biggest individual market values in the squad.

In terms of leading the attack, Kilian Skolik should start at the top of the pitch following his arrival at Phonix from Kickers Offenbach.

When it comes to the visitors, Paderborn are dealing with a handful of injuries ahead of Sunday’s cup clash.

Nyamekye Awortwie-Grant is currently dealing with a knee injury, while Timur Gayret has a torn cruciate ligament.

Sebastian Klaas and Sven Michel are both struggling with adductor injuries, meaning they are also out of action.

Phonix Lubeck possible starting lineup:

Kips; Farr, Vollert, Haritonov, Markvoort; Kretzer, Maiolo, Rahimic; Ihde, Skolik, Stover

SC Paderborn possible starting lineup:

Schubert; Horst, Scheller, Sticker; Curda, Ulrich, Castaneda, Obermair; Millgramm, Vidovic; Tigges

We say: Phonix Lubeck 1-4 SC Paderborn

Phonix Lubeck will be on cloud nine following their impressive derby win last weekend, though stepping up to face Bundesliga opposition is no easy task.

Paderborn will not be favourites many times this season, but they are expected to take advantage of that tag this Sunday. We are backing the visitors to come out on top.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.