Take a look at the 2024-25 SBOTOP Bundesliga betting odds, and you will see one clear favourite.
It’s not the reigning champions; lest we forget the side that went unbeaten domestically throughout the whole of last season and lost only one match at home and abroad out of a total of 52 contests.
That is because Bayer Leverkusen are only second favourites.
In a way, that just shows how dominant (financially and football-wise) Bayern Munich have been in the Bundesliga for more than a decade. And after being well beaten in last season’s title race, they are now tipped to bounce back emphatically.
Yet, I should say, the odds were very similar this time last year—no one really expected the Bavarians not to finish as top dogs, let alone slip outside the top two —so don’t take my word for it.
Stability has so often been the bedrock of their success, but much of that rocked for a time last term.
In fact, Bayern finished third in the end, and there was more focus on events off the pitch at times.
A petition from fans had called for then manager Thomas Tuchel to stay, but the former Chelsea boss revealed talks “did not reach an agreement” as he took his leave, no doubt feeling the club messed him around when they decided to part ways as early as February.
Finding a replacement was not straightforward either, but, in the end, they opted for Vincent Kompany. Although, if reports are to be believed, the man in charge of Burnley, relegated from the English Premier League last term, was far from their first choice.
No sooner had his appointment been confirmed though and the Bavarians wasted no time in strengthening as the Belgian aims to deliver Bundesliga highlights and reclaim the title as Germany’s number one.
For a start, they have acquired the services of Japan defender Hiroki Ito, whilst kitting out young prospects Josip Stanišić—a title-winner with Leverkusen last term—and Arijon Ibrahimović with new deals, all before the official start of pre-season training.
A left-sided centre-back, Japan international Ito showed many qualities as he helped Stuttgart claim the runners-up spot ahead of Bayern on the final day of last season.
A player who likes to bring the ball out and show off an ability in possession that supplements his cerebral defending, the 25-year-old will soon become the third Japanese player to represent the Munich giants.
As so often is the case in Germany, if Bayern want a player from a domestic rival, they normally have the capacity to grab them, and so it has proved again this summer.
Unlike on previous occasions when the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Mario Gotze, and Raphaël Guerreiro have been lured away, the name this time is far lower key but Ito’s move still weakens a rival and appears astute.
Amongst their other recruits are two players Kompany will know well, as they impressed in the Premier League.
Joao Palhinha is a massive loss to Fulham and a big gain for Bayern on a four-year contract until June 2028 for £42.3 million, plus £4.2 million in add-ons.
The 28-year-old Portugal international joins the German giants a year after their initial deal to sign him collapsed.
Excitingly for Bayern, there is also Michael Olise who has been snapped up from Crystal Palace on a five year deal.
Let us also remember Harry Kane, who ended his debut season only five short of equalling Lewandowski’s 41-goal record in a single campaign.
He could have done no more last term for his club, and the England captain will lead the line again.
Bayern’s first pre-season friendly encounter comes this week against local outfit Rottach-Egern, with two matches against Kane’s former side Spurs planned for 3 August in Seoul and then a week later in London.
Kompany’s competitive debut will come in the German Cup first round against Ulm (16 August), before Bayern open their bid to reclaim the Bundesliga crown at Wolfsburg the following weekend.
That is when it all really counts, and you write them off at your peril. Battered and bruised, Bayern still have the tools, know-how, and resources to show last season was a blip.
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