SV Elversberg, Hannover 96 and SC Paderborn enter the final matchday of the 2025/26 2. Bundesliga season level on points and battling for the second automatic promotion spot alongside already-crowned champions Schalke 04. Elversberg hold a decisive goal-difference advantage that could secure direct elevation to the Bundesliga for the first time if results align, while Hannover and Paderborn need favorable outcomes in their respective fixtures against Bochum and Karlsruhe to stay in contention. A loss for any of the trio would likely drop them into the promotion play-off, where historical patterns show mixed success for second-division sides facing Bundesliga opposition. Recent form and home/away splits across the closing fixtures remain the decisive variables.