Bundesliga Season Preview - How Will the Season Finish

The Bundesliga returns to action on Saturday May 16, the first of the big European leagues to do so. We should get a couple of weeks where this is the only major league taking place, and for that reason, interest is set to be high.

We are at a crucial stage of the season, with the majority of teams having just nine games to play. The title race looks interesting, and certainly not over with, something that will be the main focus of attention for many watching.

The Title Race

When you think of titles in Germany, you instantly think of Bayern Munich. It seems that winning is in their DNA, winning the last seven league titles. They’ve won other domestic honours too, three of those seven victories came as part of a domestic double, while they have also landed the domestic treble once.

It should come as no surprise after that to know that Bayern are leading the way once again. However, they don’t have everything all their own way. They lead the league by four points, with Borussia Dortmund in behind them.

That’s not the only challenge they have to worry about. The up and coming Leipzig are one further point back in third, with Monchengladbach currently completing the top 4. Just two points separate 2nd to 4th, and three clubs are within six points of the leaders, this could all change.

Bayern are deservedly favourites to win the title from this position, but there are three clubs behind them with realistic claims of a shot themselves.

Biggest Game of the Season?

We don’t have to wait too long for the biggest games of the season to take place. On Tuesday 26th May, league leaders Bayern Munich will travel to face second placed Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker.

Regardless of the timing and positions, this is always a huge game and this year it looks set to have even more importance. If both teams come back and win their first couple of games, that is going to set this one up perfectly. A win for Bayern would kick them clear, while a win for Dortmund would close the gap between the teams to just one point.

Will the Layoff and No Fans Affect Games?

It is going to be really interesting to see how teams are affected by what has happened. Firstly, the layoff, which could cause fitness issues. Players won’t be as sharp as normal, tiredness could come into play and overall fitness, rather than match fitness, could play a part in the early games.

Then there is the lack of fans to consider. Some teams will be playing hugely important games, where they need support from their fans to help. Der Klassiker is a perfect example of that, Dortmund would love a packed out crowd to cheer them on that night.

Can the players get up for the games as they normally would, and will home advantage count for as much as it does normally? These questions will be answered as play resumes in what is set to be a fascinating couple of months in the Bundesliga.