As always seems to be the case in Bundesliga 2, there is little to choose between the sides jostling for position near the top of the second-tier table this season and promotion up to the big time.
Schalke currently lead the way, but the Royal Blues have several teams breathing down their necks as we enter the final three months of the 2025/26 campaign.
We train the spotlight on the teams eyeing a place in the top flight next term…
How does promotion and relegation work in the Bundesliga?
Schalke
Position: 1st (automatic promotion)
Points: 43 (22 games)
Goal difference: +11 (28-17)
Next fixture: Magdeburg (h)
A patchy run of form had seen Schalke concede top spot, a position they had held since Matchday 14, but they reclaimed first place with a narrow victory at Holstein Kiel on Matchday 22.
Having bolstered their squad with the likes of Edin Džeko, Adil Aouchiche and Moussa Ndiaye in January, Miron Muslić’s side will be confident of going the distance this season – particularly if they can maintain their remarkable defensive record.
No team in Germany’s top three divisions has conceded fewer goals than Schalke, who have also registered 13 wins, the most in Germany’s second tier. After three seasons in Bundesliga 2, a return to the top flight looms large on the horizon.
Watch: Holstein Kiel 1-2 Schalke – highlights
Darmstadt
Position: 2nd (automatic promotion)
Points: 42 (22 games)
Goal difference: +18 (42-24)
Next fixture: Fortuna Düsseldorf (h)
Darmstadt are the only team to remain unbeaten on home soil this term following their Matchday 21 win over Kaiserslautern – their eighth win at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
Having not suffered defeat since losing narrowly to Schalke on Matchday 10, Florian Kohfeldt’s charges also boast Swedish goal-getter Isac Lidberg, who sit second in the scoring chart with 12 goals.
Darmstadt last gained promotion in 2022/23, but were relegated after just one season in the top flight. Kohfeldt and his players would love the opportunity to go one better next year.
Darmstadt were held to a draw by Eintracht Braunschweig on Matchday 22. – IMAGE/Sven Heidmann
Elversberg
Position: 3rd (play-off)
Points: 41 (22 games)
Goal difference: +15 (39:24)
Next fixture: Eintracht Braunschweig (h)
Having lost to Heidenheim in last season’s play-off, Elversberg are determined to go one better this time around.
Hot on the heels of the leading pack, Vincent Wagner’s side are six points better off than they were at this stage of the 2024/25 campaign. They also boast the third strongest attack in the division, despite losing top scorer Younes Ebnoutalib to Eintracht Frankfurt in January.
Their Matchday 21 loss against Hertha was their first at home this season, but no second-tier outfit has collected more away points than Elversberg (22, level with Hannover).
No second-tier outfit have picked up more points on their travels than Elversberg this season. – IMAGO/Björn Reinhardt
Hannover
Position: 4th
Points: 41 (22 games)
Goal difference: +11 (41-30)
Next fixture: Dynamo Dresden (h)
After going four games without a win between Matchdays 15 and 18, Hannover have managed to reignite their automatic promotion hopes in recent weeks.
The Reds have been excellent on their travels, but their home form still needs work. Several teams have picked up more points in front of their own fans this season than Hannover, who have won six, drawn one and lost three of their 10 matches at the Heinz von Heiden Arena.
There is plenty of cause for optimism, though. Christian Titz’s team have not only enjoyed the most possession in Bundesliga 2, they have also struck the woodwork more often than any other club. With Lady Luck on their side, Hannover remain a force to be reckoned with.
Watch: Hannover down Hertha on Matchday 22
Paderborn
Position: 5th
Points: 40 (22 games)
Goal difference: +9 (33-24)
Next fixture: Hertha Berlin (h)
Paderborn were top after Matchday 13, but have picked up only 11 points from their last 10 league matches.
Despite their recent struggles, only Schalke have racked up more wins than Paderborn’s 12 this season, while only four sides – Schalke, Elversberg, Hannover and Hertha – have collected more points on their travels.
Last relegated from the top flight in 2019/20, Paderborn are hoping to mix it with the Bundesliga big boys again next term – but they need to find some consistency soon.
Paderborn topped the table after Matchday 13, but have suffered a dip in form. – IMAGO/Ulrich Hufnagel
Who’s at risk of dropping out of the Bundesliga?
Comments are closed.