Let's be real, Bayern Munich will always be the favorite until proven otherwise. They finished second in 2024-25, which, for them, is a catastrophic failure. Harry Kane bagged 36 league goals in his debut season, smashing Lewandowski's single-season record, and they still fell short. That's how good Leverkusen was. The expectation in Munich isn't just to win, it's to dominate.
Their squad is still frighteningly deep. You've got Kane up top, Jamal Musiala pulling strings in the attacking midfield, and a defense marshaled by Matthijs de Ligt. The summer of 2025 will be fascinating. Do they make a blockbuster signing to reassert dominance, perhaps chasing Florian Wirtz or a top-tier defensive midfielder? Their tactical approach under their new manager (whoever that ends up being for 25-26, given the carousel) will likely revert to high-pressing, possession-based football, aiming to suffocate opponents. They won 28 of their 34 league matches in 2023-24, scoring 94 goals. Even in a "down" year, those numbers are elite. Their remaining fixtures in the hypothetical 2025-26 season would, as always, feature key clashes with Dortmund and Leverkusen, but their ability to consistently beat mid-table teams is what racks up the points.
My hot take? Unless they bring in a true world-class holding midfielder, Bayern will continue to look vulnerable to quick transitions, even with their firepower. They need more than just goals.
Bayer Leverkusen proved last season that a well-drilled, tactically astute team can overcome Bayern's financial might. Xabi Alonso's side went undefeated through the entire 2024-25 Bundesliga campaign, an unprecedented feat, winning 28 games and drawing 6. Their high-octane, attacking 3-4-3 system, emphasizing wing-backs like Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo, was revolutionary. Granit Xhaka's arrival brought stability and passing range to the midfield, while Florian Wirtz, with his 11 goals and 11 assists, became the undisputed creative hub.
The big question for 2025-26 is squad retention. Can they keep Wirtz? Can Frimpong resist the Premier League sirens? If they lose key components, replicating that magic will be incredibly difficult. Their schedule will also be tougher with Champions League demands. Realistically, they'll be aiming for another top-three finish, but the pressure to defend their title will be immense.
Borussia Dortmund, on their day, can beat anyone. They finished a disappointing fifth in 2024-25 but reached the Champions League final, showing their potential. Julian Brandt remains their creative spark, and Niclas Füllkrug offers a physical presence up front. But their inconsistency is maddening. They'll dismantle a team 5-0 one week, then limp to a draw against a relegation candidate the next. For 2025-26, they need more defensive solidity and a clear tactical identity. Coach Edin Terzić, if still in charge, needs to find a way to consistently rely on their attacking talent. They secured a big win against Bayern 2-0 at the Allianz Arena in March 2024, proving they have the quality. They just need to find it more often.
And then there's VfB Stuttgart. What a story they were, finishing third in 2024-25, surpassing all expectations. Serhou Guirassy was a revelation, bagging 28 league goals. Deniz Undav, on loan from Brighton, chipped in with 18. Their high-energy, direct football under Sebastian Hoeneß caught teams off guard. They had one of the best home records in the league, winning 14 of their 17 games at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
The challenge for Stuttgart is similar to Leverkusen's: can they hold onto their stars? Guirassy's release clause makes him an attractive target. If they lose him, replicating that goal output will be tough. They also don't have the financial muscle to replace top players easily. Their 2025-26 campaign will be about proving it wasn't a fluke, balancing European commitments with domestic form.
Real talk: Bayern will win the 2025-26 Bundesliga. They're too proud, too rich, and too good to let it slip again. But the gap has narrowed. Leverkusen proved it. The rest of the league now believes.
My bold prediction? Bayern reclaims the title, but not by the usual 10+ point margin. They'll win it on the final day, beating Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-1, with Kane securing his second golden boot.
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