Bundesliga predictions for the 2023/24 season
With the new Bundesliga campaign less than 24 hours away, Bulinews writer Brook Genene tries to predict how the season will go.
The start of the Bundesliga season brings excitement with it. The German first division is unique among the top 5 leagues in Europe when it comes to fan culture, stadium atmosphere, end to end games and plenty of goals for the spectators. These are the main reasons to look forward to the Bundesliga, which we hope will offer us more thrills and spills than last season. Here, I will take a look at how I think this season will pan out.
A three-way title race?
As always, Bayern Munich will be the favorites for the title. The Bavarians have managed to add Harry Kane to their collection for a record fee of £100m which makes them even more formidable. But the Super Cup has shown that they are not invincible. A consistent performance from either Borussia Dortmund or RB Leipzig will pose a huge threat to their hopes of securing a 12th consecutive league title.
Dortmund have lost Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid, but have recruited smartly in the transfer market and their preseason form has been solid. The same can be said about Leipzig, who despite losing three star players look a very strong team with the addition of players like Xavi Simons, Loïs Openda, Christoph Baumgartner, and Benjamin Sesko. Marco Rose has done a fantastic job since arriving and has now extended his contract until 2025.
With the regret of not being able to seal the deal last time out, I expect BVB to be more determined and motivated. That’s why I’m tipping them to be champions. Bayern still need to address the issue in the number 6 and Goalkeeper positions and don’t seem like a unified squad at the moment.
Leverkusen are the team to watch
Xabi Alonso has transformed Bayer Leverkusen since his arrival. The team plays exciting football and looks organized. Their summer business is one of the best in the league. Die Werkself managed to add experienced players like Jonas Hoffmann and Granit Xhaka to the team. I expect them to finish in the top four.
Union, Wolfsburg, Eintracht and Freiburg to fight for European spots
Another team that is doing wonders in the transfer market is Union Berlin. Of course, the capital club has the appeal of playing champions league football to their advantage even then being able to secure the likes of Robin Gosens and Kevin Volland is commendable. Even though playing in Europe’s elite competition will take its toll on the team I still expect them to at least challenge for Europa League places.
Other teams I expect to be around this area of the table are Freiburg, who narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification last season, Wolfsburg who managed to replace outgoing players well with the likes of Lovro Majer joining from Rennes and Joakim Maæhle from Atalanta. Eintracht Frankfurt, who also strengthened in the summer, will be a capable competitor.
The new teams to struggle
Heidenheim and Darmstadt are the newcomers this season. The latter didn’t start the season well as they got knocked out of the first round of the DFB Pokal by Regionalliga side FC Homburg. I don’t give them much chance when it comes to surviving the Bundesliga as well with their limited resources as compared to the other teams in the league. Heidenheim, who won the 2. Bundesliga last season in dramatic fashion, are in their first season in the top division of German football and will have a daunting task ahead of them.
Full table prediction:
1. Borussia Dortmund
2. Bayern
3. RB Leipzig
4. Leverkusen
5. Union
6. Eintracht
7. Freiburg
8. Wolfsburg
9. Gladbach
10. Mainz
11. Stuttgart
12. Köln
13. Hoffenheim
14. Bremen
15. Bochum
16. Augsburg
17. Darmstadt
18. Heidenheim