Schalke 04 has already secured automatic promotion to the Bundesliga as 2. Bundesliga champions following a dominant campaign that included consistent results across the final stretch. With one matchday remaining, the fight for the second direct promotion spot and the playoff berth remains wide open among SV Elversberg, Hannover 96, and SC Paderborn, who sit level on 59 points but separated by goal difference. Recent form, including Hannover’s late-season surge and Elversberg’s attacking output, has kept all three clubs in contention, while head-to-head records and home advantage on the final day add further variables. Any outcome depends on the weekend results, as a single point or goal swing could shift the automatic promotion and playoff positions before the campaign concludes.