FC Bayern won the title for the tenth successive year last season, leading Borussia Dortmund by eight points. With Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland both leaving, it makes for an interesting season, but can anyone stop the Bayern machine?
Check out our thoughts on the Title Challengers, those with Top 4 aspirations, as well as potential Top Scorers and clubs that could well be battling against Relegation.
Winner
Even with the absence of Robert Lewandowsk’s goals, its difficult to see how FC Bayern can be stopped this season. The signing of Sadio Mane from Liverpool will go some way to replacing the Polish star in terms of goals, but with Ryan Gravenberch, Matthijs De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui coming in too, Die Roten look even stronger.
Borussia Dortmund look the main threat for the title and have done a decent job of replacing Erling Haaland, with Karim Adeyemi and Sebastien Haller brought in, although the latter is set for a spell on the sidelines having had surgery to remove a testicular tumour. A short-term replacement is expected to be imment, though, so combined with the signings of Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Sule in defence, the side could have a genuine chance of dethroning the champions, but you just feel that the Bayern have enough up their sleeve to keep hold of the title.
Top 4 Finish / Challengers
There are a gaggle of sides that will be battling for Champions League places and potentially dreaming of more, with RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen leading the way behind the aforementioned Borussia Dortmund.
RB Leipzig have not been spending so extravagantly as in previous years, seemingly looking to keep the young squad developing and improving, with the signings of Xaver Schlager and David Raum the only ones of note. Much depends on the form of Christopher Nkunku if he stays, with rumours of PSG sniffing around, after bagging 31 goals last season. With the likes of Szoboszlai, Dani Olmo, Gvardiol and Mukiele in the side, they could well surprise a few this season.
Bayer Leverkusen placed third last season and have had a relatively quiet time of things so far in the transfer window, with the signing of Czech star Adam Hlozek the only large bit of business they have done. Like Leipzig, they have looked to consolidate with a mix of younger players and solder hands. Moussa Diaby is a hugely important player for Leverkusen and has attracted interest from abroad, but if they keep the squad together, Gerado Seoane can expect another top 4 finish.
Outside of these, both Borussia Monchengladbach and Eintracht Frankfurt look the best alternatives for a top 4 finish according to the markets, but both sides finished just 12 points adrift of the relegation zone, with Frankfurt’s Europa League victory sugarcoating their season quite significantly.
However, I’m going for either Union Berlin or Freiburg to push for a top 4 spot here. Union missed out on a Champions League spot by a single point, while Freiburg finished just 3 points back. Both sides have been active in the transfer market, with Europa League matches to come this year and arguably Freiburg have so far had the better window. They cashed in on Nico Schlotterbeck and have bought well with the proceeds, bringing in Matthias Ginter, Ritsu Doan and Michael Gregoritsch brought in to boost the side and they could well be the surprise package of the season
Relegation
Sides are given as much chance of survival in the Bundesliga as possible, with two sides automatically relegated and one going into a play-off against the third-placed side from Bundesliga 2.
Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen return to the top flight after recent absences and despite a strong pedigree in the past, neither side will take things for granted. Schalke look best equipped to keep their status and have spent in the region of é5 million on players, while Werder Bremen are looking to rely on free transfers and loans to keep their status.
Elsewhere, Hertha Berlin, who beat Hamburg to stay in the top flight, should have a better run of things this season and have been active in the transfer window, while both Augsburg and VFL Bochum both are expected to struggle with tough seasons ahead.
It’s a toss of a coin in terms of who could go down, but Werder Bremen and Augsburg look prime candidates this season.
Top Scorer
For the first time in six years, Robert Lewandowski won’t be the Bundesliga top scorer, with the Polish legend recently joining Barcelona. Erling Haaland would have been the shoe-in, with “Lewi” gone, but of course he joined Man City. So, with what is likely to be the most open top scorer battle for years, who can take the coveted Golden Boot?
Sadio Mane has unsurprisingly been installed as favourite to be top scorer in his first season, with the general consensus being that he will play up top for Die Roten, however this remains to be seen and if he plays on one side of a front three, he may not be quite as prolific as hoped.
Last season’s top scorer among players currently still in the Bundesliga was Patrik Schick of Bayer Leverkusen, who scored 24 goals in 29 league appearances last season, outscoring a certain Mr Haaland in the process. Having only scored 9 goals the previous season, the jury is still out on whether he can repeat the feat again, but he looks a genuine contender once again.
However, for the golden boot, Borussia Dortmund newcomer, Karim Adeyemi offers plenty of appeal, as the German looks to copy Erling Haaland’s path to greatness, having joined Dortmund from RB Salzburg, just as the Norwegian did a few seasons ago. He is young, quick and strong in front of goal and will benefit from the Borussia Dortmund style of play this season for sure.
