Welcome back to all of our loyal followers. Yes, it's time once again to get the world's most exciting football league kick-started and TBG has your forecast to get you through all the fun.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLACES
1. Borussia Dortmund - Although many believe that the champions will be unable to repeat after losing Nuri Sahin to Real Madrid and facing the arduous task of Champions League, don't believe it. They will have to survive the first month or so without Paraguayan ace Lucas Barrios, but the addition of wunderkind Ilkay Gundogan should make up for Sahin's loss.
2. Bayern Munich - The heavy favorite to regain the crown, Bayern always seem to win it in seasons that end in even numbers. Jupp Heynckes has strikers galore and should the Bavarians get off to a better start this year, things should fall into place.
3. Schalke 04 - This is TBG's most hated club because of the rivalry with Hertha, but there is plenty of talent here for the Champions League semifinalists. With Lewis Holtby back in the mix, there is potential for a return to Europe's most prestigious competition.
4. VfB Stuttgart - This was a better side as the 2010-11 season went on and should contend this season for a Champions League berth since Germany gets four now, having passed Italy in the UEFA coefficients.
EUROPA LEAGUE
5. Werder Bremen - There is still plenty of experience here for Thomas Schaaf to redeem himself after last season's disaster. Bremen were a defensive nightmare but it's time to fix those woes and also get Marko Marin back on track.
6. Hamburg SV - It's true this squad is young and unproven in some areas but a veteran strike force of Paulo Guerrero and Mladen Petric should do well enough to get Hamburg into Europe. Now can Elijiro Elia and Gojko Kacar rediscover their past form?
ALMOST IN EUROPE
7. Hertha BSC - There's nothing special about the promoted side from the nation's capital, and some would say nothing interesting. But what Marcus Babbel has brought is some much-needed energy and optimism, and a Europa League place is there for the taking if Adrian Ramos and Pierre Michel Lasogga can fire.
8. FC Koln - The Goats played some of the league's most exciting football last season. If they can duplicate that and get off to a better start, they can challenge for Europe behind a motivated Podolski - who would like nothing better than to lead his home side to glory.
9. Bayer Leverkusen - Andre Schurrle brings some much-needed youth to these graybeards but playing Champions League football and navigating through the league could be a big ask, as it was for Schalke and Bremen last season. Plus, Michael Ballack's situation should continue to be a distraction for the side which crashed out of the German Cup in spectacular fashion.
10. Hannover 96 - The 96ers overachieved last season to get into Europe, which should be a short stay having drawn Spanish giants Sevilla. Logic only dictates that Hannover will come back to Earth this season.
MID-TABLE MEDIOCRITY
11. FC Nurnberg - These Bavarians punched above their weight last year and nearly crashed the European party. They will be a bit further off the pace this season, for sure.
12. 1899 Hoffenheim - There are some interesting African players here in Chinedu Obasi and Prince Tagoe, while Vedad Ibesevic still has yet to find his form from three years back. Anything is possible with this squad.
13. VfL Wolfsburg - Felix Magath's side is already out of the German Cup and he has already changed captains. Plus, the Wolves have yet to sell Diego. This is a mess that could get worse.
BARELY HANGING ON
14. Mainz 05 - This side already crashed out of Europe to some Romanian unknowns and will find life in the top flight difficult without Holtby and Schurrle. Survival would be impressive.
15. Augsburg FC - The top flight's third Bavarian side, Augsburg becomes the 51st different team to play in this division. There are few recognizable players, but Jos Luhukay previously coached 'Gladbach so he knows all about battling the drop.
PLAYOFF SPOT
16. Borussia Monchengladbach - This is where 'Gladbach finished last year and it should be another painful season. There's plenty of pressure on Venezuelan star Juan Arango and Cameroon striker Mohamadou Idrissou, since they have very little help.
GOING DOWN
17. SC Freiburg - Pappa Demba Cisse is one of the best unknown players in world football, but Freiburg's winning ways have surely come to an end. This squad has problems everywhere else, and should be able to sort them out in the Zweite Liga in 2012-13.
18. Kaiserslautern - It's hard to believe this side finished seventh last year - which would nearly be good enough for a European place this season. That miracle won't happen again - it will be a miracle if they stay up.
OPENING NIGHT PREDICTION
Dortmund 3, Hamburg 1
No comments:
Post a Comment