After a first-round German Cup weekend featuring many exciting games, but ultimately a historic low in terms of actual surprises, the Bundesliga kicks off on Friday, August 22, with champions Bayern Munich taking on RB Leipzig.
The league lost several of its star players over the summer, as the English Premier League clubs in particular, flexed their considerable financial muscle on the transfer market.
But be that as it may, the German Bundesliga still possesses its very unique charm, with full stadia, a fan culture that is second to none, and a high level of play on the pitch.
Let’s now move on to some season predictions for the league this season.
The Bundesliga Title
Given how much Bayern Munich’s biggest rivals, particularly Bayer Leverkusen, have had to rebuild their squads this summer, with Liverpool alone picking up both Player of the Season Florian Wirtz and arguably the best full-back in the Bundesliga, Jeremie Frimpong, the Bavarians are overwhelming favourites to retain the title.
That is not at all to say that, should Die Roten win it, that it is somehow a given, and not a success. It takes great effort and determination to finish on top of the Bundesliga after 34 rounds of play.
The Rest of the Top Four
The race for the remaining Champions League spots should be extremely tight again this term. With Leverkusen rebuilding as much as they are, Erik ten Hag’s men may not necessarily finish that high.
Borussia Dortmund may also struggle again, with all of the changes they have to deal with. Coach Niko Kovač has not really proven himself long-term at the highest level, despite his success last term in saving their season.
VfB Stuttgart and maybe even perennial overachievers SC Freiburg might have a credible top-four chance, as far-fetched as it may seem, for the latter side in particular.
As for Eintracht Frankfurt, despite having lost players like Hugo Ekitiké and Kevin Trapp, they seem as stable as ever; they should certainly look to maintain their top-four status at the end of this term.
The Hunt for Other European Places
As in most major leagues on the continent, many sides dream of qualifying for Europe at the beginning of a campaign. Despite losing several key players after failing to finish in the top six last season, RB Leipzig will still be a contender for one of those spots this time. They remain an ambitious club.
Teams like VfL Wolfsburg, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and recently even FC Augsburg often come out with the expectation of European qualification, even though that has not happened for them lately.
It will be interesting to see how Mainz 05 cope without the services of star striker Jonathan Burkardt, who has moved on to Frankfurt.
Particularly if they defeat the Norwegian side Rosenborg BK in the playoffs for Conference League qualification. They always have young, talented players who are hungry to perform.
The question is whether the potential European games will prove a burden on them.
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The Relegation Battle
Hamburger SV are back in the top flight after seven years in Bundesliga 2. The euphoria over that promotion quickly dissipated after the club had a horrible pre-season and narrowly escaped elimination from the first round of the German Cup to fifth-tier opposition.
They will likely struggle to survive in this league. 1. FC Heidenheim, who narrowly escaped relegation through the playoff last season, will also struggle. The same could be said for FC St. Pauli, Hamburg’s crosstown rivals, who lack attacking firepower.
Meanwhile, 1. FC Cologne, Hamburg’s fellow promoted side, look quite stable for now.
The Bundesliga always brings us surprises, with many sides either overachieving or underachieving to an incredible degree, which makes predictions like these all the more difficult.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Ulmer II
Recording Date: 16.08.2025