The Bundesliga returns tonight with a thrilling Rhein derby as Borussia Mönchengladbach takes on Bayer Leverkusen to kick off the season. While I've posted a more conventional preview on Twitter, today’s newsletter offers a creative twist on the season ahead. For each of the 18 teams, I've made a bold prediction, covering everything from managerial sackings to clean-sheet trauma.

Will they all come true? Likely not. 

But should you read on? Without a doubt!

Bayer Leverkusen

Exequiel Palacios was one of many key players throughout Bayer Leverkusen’s title-winning campaign. The Argentine midfielder featured in 24 of the 34 Bundesliga matches, forming a formidable midfield partnership with Granit Xhaka. Last September, Palacios extended his contract with Leverkusen until 2028, but the possibility of an earlier departure is still very much on the table. As a World Cup winner with Argentina, Palacios has drawn considerable interest from overseas clubs, and at 25, he may see this as the ideal time to make a significant move abroad.

In Aleix García, Leverkusen have also signed a similar profile this summer from Girona, and Die Werkself will be aware of Palacios’ injury track record that doesn’t look like being resolved any time soon. Since signing with Leverkusen in January 2020, the 25-year-old has missed 64 matches and spent 267 days sidelined due to injuries. Given this extensive injury record, the possibility of securing a fee north of €50 million may be too good to pass up on in January. Bayer Leverkusen will sell Exequiel Palacios to a Premier League club in the January transfer window.

VfB Stuttgart

Despite qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since 2009, Stuttgart’s squad has been mercilessly picked apart during the off-season. Serhou Guirassy’s departure to Dortmund leaves Stuttgart without their top goalscorer, and in defense, things are even more troubling. Club-captain Waldemar Anton and versatile Japanese stalwart Hiroki Ito have also joined league rivals Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern respectively. 

Numerous players have been signed to pick up the slack, and it is one of the most overlooked additions who could end up being Stuttgart’s most important transfer. Chabot is a defensive stalwart whose tenacity and aggression can enliven a squad and create a backbone of stability. Despite FC Köln’s dreadful campaign, Chabot showed last season why he is amongst the most impressive ‘pure’ defenders in the division. No player blocked more shots in the 2023/24 Bundesliga, and only two players won a larger percentage of their aerial duels. He is not the most proficient on the ball, but this is in plentiful supply across Stuttgart’s other alternatives. 

Julian Chabot may have only cost €5.00m, but it is money well spent. No outfield player at VfB Stuttgart will contest more minutes in the 2024/25 Bundesliga.

FC Bayern

At the second time of asking, FC Bayern have completed a €50.00m move for João Palhinha. The 29-year-old Portuguese international is the long-awaited "holding 6" that former manager Thomas Tuchel had urgently sought throughout his tenure. Palhinha's defensive prowess brings a crucial dimension to Bayern's squad, adding much-needed structure and tenacity to a somewhat unbalanced central midfield. In challenging European knockout fixtures, Palhinha could play a pivotal role, much like Javi Martinez did during Bayern’s treble-winning campaign in 2013.

However, in the Bundesliga, Bayern might lean towards a more dynamic midfield duo of Aleksandar Pavlović and Joshua Kimmich. Both players excel in possession, offering fluid positioning and exceptional passing range, which are vital for breaking down the deep defensive blocks that Vincent Kompany’s side will face in most domestic matches. While Palhinha could prove pivotal in winning a Champions League, it is his junior, Aleksandar Pavlović, who will earn more minutes in the 2024/25 Bundesliga. 

RB Leipzig

One of the most crucial players for RB Leipzig this season will be Benjamin Šeško. The Slovenian international took some time to adapt to the Bundesliga after his move from RB Salzburg last summer, but he hit his stride following the winter break. The 21-year-old emerged as one of the most lethal finishers in the league, netting 11 goals after Christmas, including at least one goal in each of Leipzig’s final 7 Bundesliga fixtures!

With fierce competition from the likes of Harry Kane, Serhou Guirassy, and Loïs Openda for this season’s Golden Boot, Šeško will need to be at his best, but I believe he has the quality to come out on top. Benjamin Šeško will win the 2024/25 Bundesliga Torjägerkanone!

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Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund enters the new season under the guidance of Nuri Sahin, who is aiming to reintroduce a possession-based style of football at the Signal Iduna Park. The renewed focus on the game with the ball should re-invigorate the home crowd and suit the qualities of numerous key performers throughout the squad. 

However, one player who may find himself marginalized under these new tactical demands is Emre Can. The 30-year-old captain is known for his leadership, tenacity, and aggressive defensive play, but his shortcomings in possession are increasingly apparent. Can's technical inefficiencies and slow decision-making were notably exposed during Dortmund’s DFB Pokal match against fourth-tier Phoenix Lübeck.

With summer signing Pascal Groß offering far superior on-ball skills, it’s easy to envision Emre Can playing a reduced role in the upcoming season. The midfield trio of Groß, Marcel Sabitzer, and Julian Brandt provides the technical quality needed to break down Bundesliga opponents, making them a more suitable choice for Sahin's system. As a result, vice-captain Julian Brandt will lead Borussia Dortmund out for more matches in the 2024/25 Bundesliga than the club’s ‘true’ captain, Emre Can. 

Eintracht Frankfurt 

Eintracht Frankfurt have one of the most exciting squads in the Bundesliga this season, brimming with youthful exuberance and unleashed potential. With an average age of just 23.2 years, they have the youngest roster in the league, and with players representing 24 different nationalities, they also have the most diverse squad in the competition.

However, molding this blend of youth and diversity into a cohesive unit is a formidable challenge, one that I fear Dino Toppmöller may not be up to. The 43-year-old was criticized throughout last season for Frankfurt’s abject cup performances, unimaginative football, and propensity to draw fixtures in the Bundesliga. While Toppmöller undeniably possesses a high footballing IQ, honed during his successful stint as Julian Nagelsmann’s assistant, it feels increasingly likely that his tenure in Frankfurt will not end on a positive note. Dino Toppmöller will be dismissed from his managerial position by Christmas.

TSG Hoffenheim 

TSG Hoffenheim are back in European competition for the first time since 2021, a return that could bring increased attention to their young and talented squad. Among the players who should be at the top of every club's watchlist is Anton Stach. The 25-year-old is an extraordinarily complete midfielder who can play everywhere from centerback to an attack-oriented central midfield. Standing at 1.94 meters, Stach's imposing height gives him a commanding presence in aerial duels, yet he maintains the athleticism and dynamism needed to cover large areas of the pitch. While he may not be the most creative or imaginative player on the ball, his passing is exceptionally reliable, and he has a knack for making late runs into the box or unleashing powerful shots from distance.

This season could very well be the breakout year for Anton Stach, and his progress should not go unnoticed in the German national team. With the retirements of Ilkay Gündogan and Toni Kroos, Germany's midfield is in need of fresh faces, and Stach is well-positioned to step into a leading role. After making two substitute appearances under Hansi Flick in 2022, Stach will become a regular fixture in the German national team this season.

1. FC Heidenheim

FC Heidenheim have been put in the unenviable position of completely replacing their front line this off-season. In Eren Dinkçi, Tim Kleindienst, and Niklas Beste, Heidenheim have lost their 3 most influential forwards from the last campaign. The trio scored a combined 30 goals last season, which amounted to 60% of Heidenheim’s total league output. 

In Sirlord Conteh, Paul Wanner, Leo Scienza, and Maximilian Breunig Heidenheim have made some interesting additions from Germany’s 2nd & 3rd Bundesliga who can potentially share the burden next season. The most expensive addition - Mikkel Kaufmann (€1.25m) - is unfortunately the one I am least optimistic about, however. 

Over the past 4 seasons, Kaufmann has played 102 matches and 3,437 minutes in professional football but has managed to score only 14 goals. If you subtract a moderately successful spell at KSC in 2022/23 this record plummets even further; 70 matches or 1738 minutes and only 4 goals.

To put it kindly, Mikkel Kaufmann is not a center-forward you can rest your topflight hopes on, and Heidenheim will learn that unfortunate truth next season. Mikkel Kaufmann will not score more than 2 goals in the Bundesliga next season.

Werder Bremen 

Werder Bremen have had a surprisingly quiet window, but in defensive midfield, fans should be pleased to know that they have signed one of the most interesting prospects the Bundesliga has to offer this season. Standing at 2,02m Skelly Alvero is an impossible sight to miss on the football pitch. The French-Angolan midfielder is the tallest player in the league, yet he combines this remarkable height with impressive mobility and athleticism. Alvero is both nimble and light-footed, capable of making surging runs with the ball and executing sharp turns and technical maneuvers. For an estimated €4.75 million, Bremen have made a shrewd investment. If Alvero can maintain his fitness throughout the season, it’s unlikely his talents will remain at the Weser-Stadion for long.

Within the next 12 months, Skelly Alvero will be playing for a club competing in the Premier League or international competition. 

SC Freiburg 

SC Freiburg will undergo significant changes without Christian Streich on the sidelines, but one constant is the club’s commitment to nurturing talent from its own academy. This season, a league-high 11 players from the SC Freiburg Fußballschule are part of the first-team roster, including several promising young players from the U19 squad that reached the Junior DFB Pokal final last season.

Bruno Ogbus (2005) stands out as a versatile, physical defender who played a key role by assisting the club’s first goal in the DFB Pokal. Berkay Yilmaz (2005) is a tenacious Turkish youth international whose skills as a fullback garnered summer interest from Atletico Madrid and Juventus. In midfield, Johan Manzambi (2005) brings an energetic box-to-box presence, capable of creating turnovers high up the pitch.

With such an impressive array of talent, there will be no club that provides more debuts to academy talent than SC Freiburg next season.

FC Augsburg 

FC Augsburg enjoyed a solid campaign in 2023/24 which ended in comfortable topflight survival for the 13th Bundesliga season in a row. However, a significant concern persisted throughout the season: their defensive frailties. Only 4 sides conceded more goals, and only TSG Hoffenheim kept fewer cleansheets (3). 

This lack of defensive quality was a collective failure, but goalkeeper Finn Dahmen wasn’t without blame. The 26-year-old posted a mediocre save percentage of 71% and was among the nine starting goalkeepers who failed to meet their expected goals against value last season.

Dahmen is injured for the season’s start, meaning the path is free for new signing Nediljko Labrovic to start the campaign. Labrovic was a member of the Croatian national team at EURO 2024 and is the second-most expensive goalkeeper signing in FC Augsburg’s history. His record at HNK Rijeka was remarkable - Labrovic kept the most clean sheets in the Croatian topflight last season (15) - and his signing should give Augsburg a significant boost this season. Expect Augsburg to record at least three times as many cleansheets as last season, and will reach last season’s total (3) before Christmas. 

VfL Wolfsburg

VfL Wolfsburg have recorded a net loss of over €100 million over the past five years, but this significant investment has done little to enhance the team's fortunes in the Bundesliga. Last season's 12th-place finish was a disappointing outcome, especially given the club’s substantial financial backing. Before Ralph Hasenhüttl's appointment in late March, the team seemed perilously close to being drawn into a relegation battle, a far cry from the expectations set by their financial muscle.

Wolfsburg should see more success this season, but it likely won’t come through thrilling, attacking football. Kevin Behrens has netted just one goal in his last 30 Bundesliga appearances, Jonas Wind has managed only two goals in his last 22 matches, and Lukas Nmecha has struggled with injuries, featuring in just four competitive games over the past 12 months.

Mohamed Amoura appears to be a promising addition who could inject some much-needed dynamism into the squad, but he isn't a prolific scorer who can carry the team's offensive burden. VfL Wolfsburg will finish in the top half of the table, but at least two-thirds of the league will outscore them by the end of the campaign.

Mainz 05

Building on last season's remarkable escape from relegation will be challenging for Die 05er, especially after losing key players such as midfield dynamo Leandro Barreiro, stalwart center-back Sepp van den Berg, and skilled winger Brajan Gruda.

The players still remaining at the club will need to take on an even larger role next season, with one of the key protagonists likely to be Jonathan Burkardt. After enduring a severe knee injury that kept him sidelined for over 300 days, the former German youth international rediscovered his form during the final stretch of last season. Across the final 11 matches, Burkardt managed 7 goals; looking fitter, sharper, and more ruthless with each passing minute. 

This season Burkardt has already netted once in the DFB Pokal, and many more should follow as the 24-year-old looks set to make up for lost time. No German player will score more goals in the 2024/25 Bundesliga than Jonathan Burkardt. 

Borussia Mönchengladbach

The attacking signings of Tim Kleindienst and Kevin Stöger signal a strong intent from the Gladbach board, but they may not address the core issues that plagued the squad last season. While Gladbach ranked among the top six in goals scored, they also had the third-worst defensive record in the top flight. Unfortunately, the situation in defense has only deteriorated since the transfer window opened.

With a challenging start to the season that includes fixtures against Bayer Leverkusen (H), VfL Bochum (A), VfB Stuttgart (H), and Eintracht Frankfurt, manager Gerardo Seoane could face intense scrutiny right from the outset. Given the defensive vulnerabilities and the tough opening stretch, I anticipate that Borussia Mönchengladbach will struggle to secure any points from these initial four matches. Consequently, Gerardo Seoane will become the first managerial casualty of the season.

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Union Berlin

After a season that narrowly avoided disaster, Union Berlin have taken a back-to-the-basics approach this transfer window. They have appointed Bo Svensson as a highly-rated man-manager who imparts discipline and humility into a squad, and their transfer business has seen young, unproven talent arrive for little money. 

One notable addition is Tom Rothe. The 19-year-old wingback joins from Borussia Dortmund for €5 million following an impressive loan spell at Holstein Kiel last season. While Rothe has some defensive shortcomings, his talent is evident. He boasts exceptional technique, versatile crossing abilities, and a physical presence at 1.93 meters that allows him to adapt to multiple positions. 

Although Robin Gosens is expected to start the season as a left wingback, there is a growing possibility that the 30-year-old will depart before the summer window closes. If so, Rothe will enjoy a breakthrough campaign, culminating in a call-up to Germany’s senior national team. With no major tournament this summer, Nagelsmann may take some liberties with his squad selections, and Rothe’s chances are bolstered by the relatively modest competition for the left-back spot.

VfL Bochum

As they enter their fourth consecutive top-flight campaign, Bochum aims for mid-table stability to achieve their longest uninterrupted stay in the top flight this century. However, their defensive prospects are concerning. Last season, Bochum allowed a staggering 74 goals over 34 matches, with 45 of those coming away from home. The situation could worsen this season with the departures of starting center-back Keven Schlotterbeck and starting goalkeeper Manuel Riemann.

Given these issues, I predict Bochum will struggle defensively throughout the season. VfL Bochum are going to go the entire campaign without keeping a single clean sheet away from home.

FC St. Pauli

FC St. Pauli earned promotion as a relatively free-flowing attacking outfit, albeit without a truly recognized center-forward who could consistently deliver in front of goal. No forward in the St. Pauli roster managed double-digit goals last campaign, with Johannes Eggestein and Oladapo Afolayan coming closest with 9 each. 

It was all-action midfielder Marcel Hartel who ultimately picked up the slack last season (17 goals & 13 assists), but with his departure to the MLS, it could be another midfielder who could move into the limelight. Jackson Irvine is no stranger to a sizeable goalscoring output, and his aerial prowess and knack for making late runs into the box will be even more critical this season.

In the past two seasons, Irvine has netted 14 goals for St. Pauli in the 2. Bundesliga. With the stakes higher in the top flight, he is poised to enhance his impact. Jackson Irvine will emerge as St. Pauli’s top goalscorer this season, becoming the only player in the squad to reach double digits in the Bundesliga.

Holstein Kiel

There’s a new member to the Bundesliga this season, with Holstein Kiel becoming the 58th different participant to feature in Germany’s topflight. Die Störche hail from a city that has historically only been recognized as a destination for handball and fish sandwiches, but their smart recruitment and strategic long-term investment have rightfully earned them their first-ever campaign in Germany’s topflight. 

Maintaining their top-flight status will be a formidable challenge, particularly given their tight budget. However, their geographical advantage could play a significant role in their quest for survival. Kiel, the northernmost city ever to compete in the Bundesliga, is situated less than 100 kilometers from the Danish border. This unique location could impose an unusual strain on visiting teams.

Additionally, the Holstein-Stadion, with its 15,000 capacity, is the second-smallest arena in the top flight. The stadium's rustic and aging main terrace starkly contrasts with the modern, glamorous settings of many Bundesliga venues. This distinctive environment could prove an additional challenge for visiting clubs.

Given these factors, no team will secure a larger percentage of their points at home next season than Holstein Kiel.