benztown
18 Jul 2005, 02:50 PM
Even though it is still very early and there are still some crucial transfers to come, I decided to use the boring time without football and start discussing about how the different teams will do next season.
Here are my thoughts on next season:
Bayern München:
Cleary the favourite (once again). Basically the same offence as last year and the first defence is as least as good as in 2004/05. It might be a problem though, that Bayern doesn't have the depth in defence they used to have. So the only thing that could jeopardize their amitions are injuries in their defence or tired defenders due to too many games.
My Prediction: Place 1-3
FC Schalke 04:
I'm not sure yet what to think about that team. Their new players are all really good, so technically they shouldn't do any worse than last year. But we all know that football doesn't work that way. I think their midfield could become their biggest problem even though thats where they have the most competition. But to form a functioning midfield out of those players will be hard. But then again Rangnick seems to have a talent to do exactly that. They need to reach the Champions League again because of their financial trouble.
My Prediction: Place 2-5
Werder Bremen:
They seem to have profited from their transfer activities so far even though they lost Ismael. But for me Bremen looks right now to be the biggest rival for Bayern next season. One of the strongest attacks in the league and still a solid defence. And Frings will be a great replacement for Ernst. Definately a very strong team.
My prediction: Place 1-5
Hertha BSC Berlin:
Here a lot will depend on a new striker they are still looking for. In my eyes Berlin has a solid defence but apart from that they rely too much on Marcelinho. He's not only the engine in midfield but also scores most of the goals. Last year it worked out perfectly but it doesn't always have to be like that. One injury could endanger the whole season.
My prediction: Place 3-7
VfB Stuttgart:
Also an unknown quantity at this point as they still need a replacement for Hleb in midfield. But apart from that, the team seems to be on the right track. Tomasson, Magnin and Hitzelsperger are great reinforcements for the team and Trapatoni could help the young players to develop further. And Trapatoni's tactical skills are well known all over Europe.
My Prediction: Place 2-5
Bayer Leverkusen:
Also hard to predict, Leverkusen manage to sign at least one new South American face every year, and usually they even manage to settle in. So this year it's Athirson. I have no idea how good he is but chances are he will be a regular next season. Up until now the only big name they lost is Placente. Franca also seems to be very unhappy and is likely to leave. But still I think Leverkusen will be a contender for Champions league next season. Although UEFA-Cup seems to be a more realistic goal.
My Prediction: Place 3-6
Borussia Dortmund:
This team drives me nuts. Last year they seemed pretty strong before the season started but then had a horrible first half of the season. After the winter break it looked very bad and suddently they had a fantastic second half. So this year they seem even stronger than last season with new players like Degen and Buckley and suddently they play really bad in the Intertoto-Cup against some third rate Czech team. So I guess we could see something like last season, with a poor start and a strong finish.
My Prediction: Place 5-11
Hamburger SV:
The team that made the greatest leap quality wise this summer. The new signings are great, especially van der Vaart. But in the last decade, Hamburg was always sort of an under achiever.
My Prediction: Place 3-8
VfL Wolfsburg:
They are in a similar situation as last year. A lot depends on D'Alessandro. In contrast to Dortmund, they had a strong start last year and an extremely poor finish. Anyways, I don't see them much stronger as last year.
My Prediction: Place 7-12
Hannover 96:
Solid signings here (Hashemian, Brdaric, Delura, Balitsch).However, I don't think that the UEFA-Cup is realistic. Still, Hannover might be able to upset some bigger teams.
My Prediction: Place 7-12
FSV Mainz 05:
They had a great first Bundesliga season. Yet their goal this year should still be to avoid relegation. It all depend on how they start into the new season. If they can build enough momentum from the start, they souldn't be in trouble.
My Prediction: Place 10-16
1. FC Kaiserslautern:
Their goal should also be to avoid relegation. Kaiserslautern has a solid team that should be able to do so, but with this team you never know.
My Prediction: Place 10-16
Arminia Bielefeld:
I think Bielefeld will have a lot of trouble next season. With Buckley, Skela and Owomoyela gone it will be very hard to stay in the Bundesliga.
My Prediction: Place 14-18
1. FC Nürnberg:
Another team that should focus on not getting relegated. Last year they had to thank Mintal for remaining in the Bundesliga. However I doubt that he can repeat his great season. But the new signings look pretty solid, so they should be able to make it.
My Prediction: Place 11-16
Borussia Mönchengladbach:
They already signed a lot of good players last winter, but they didn't seem to make the impact M'gladbach was hoping for. Their signings so far are also solid ones. If they are able to form a functioning team and if Elber finally gets back
on track, they should remain in the Bundesliga. And if it all works out well, they can even be a surprise team.
My Prediction: Place 10-16
1. FC Köln:
Again they were the dominating team of the second league. Their signings seem to be quite good and with Podolski up front they should score enough goals to remain in the Bundesliga.
My Prediction: Place 11-17
MSV Duisburg:
Duisburg had a very good season in the second league. Yet I don't think it's enough to avoid relegation again. But then again, who would have thought that Mainz is still in the Bundesliga?
My Prediction: Place 14-18
Eintracht Frankfurt:
Also one of the teams that will have problems. Although with a better shot to remain in the Bundesliga than Duisburg. But still with some question marks: Can Jermaine Jones finally live up to his talent? Can Marko Rehmer really strengthen the team? And will they be able to get Ioannis Amanatidis?
My Prediction: Place 13-18
Now, since those predictions are still very vague, here's a table based on the predictions above:
1. Bayern München
2. Werder Bremen
3. VfB Stuttgart
4. FC Schalke 05
5. Hamburger SV
6. Bayer Leverkusen
7. Hertha BSC Berlin
8. Borussia Dortmund
9. Hannover 96
10. VfL Wolfsburg
11. Borussia Mönchengladbach
12. 1. FC Nürnberg
13. FSV Mainz 05
14. 1. FC Köln
15. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
16. Eintracht Frankfurt
17. MSV Duisburg
18. Arminia Bielefeld
Of course, at this point of pre-season, this is still far from being accurate, but it's a starting point for a discussion.
Here are my thoughts on next season:
Bayern München:
Cleary the favourite (once again). Basically the same offence as last year and the first defence is as least as good as in 2004/05. It might be a problem though, that Bayern doesn't have the depth in defence they used to have. So the only thing that could jeopardize their amitions are injuries in their defence or tired defenders due to too many games.
My Prediction: Place 1-3
FC Schalke 04:
I'm not sure yet what to think about that team. Their new players are all really good, so technically they shouldn't do any worse than last year. But we all know that football doesn't work that way. I think their midfield could become their biggest problem even though thats where they have the most competition. But to form a functioning midfield out of those players will be hard. But then again Rangnick seems to have a talent to do exactly that. They need to reach the Champions League again because of their financial trouble.
My Prediction: Place 2-5
Werder Bremen:
They seem to have profited from their transfer activities so far even though they lost Ismael. But for me Bremen looks right now to be the biggest rival for Bayern next season. One of the strongest attacks in the league and still a solid defence. And Frings will be a great replacement for Ernst. Definately a very strong team.
My prediction: Place 1-5
Hertha BSC Berlin:
Here a lot will depend on a new striker they are still looking for. In my eyes Berlin has a solid defence but apart from that they rely too much on Marcelinho. He's not only the engine in midfield but also scores most of the goals. Last year it worked out perfectly but it doesn't always have to be like that. One injury could endanger the whole season.
My prediction: Place 3-7
VfB Stuttgart:
Also an unknown quantity at this point as they still need a replacement for Hleb in midfield. But apart from that, the team seems to be on the right track. Tomasson, Magnin and Hitzelsperger are great reinforcements for the team and Trapatoni could help the young players to develop further. And Trapatoni's tactical skills are well known all over Europe.
My Prediction: Place 2-5
Bayer Leverkusen:
Also hard to predict, Leverkusen manage to sign at least one new South American face every year, and usually they even manage to settle in. So this year it's Athirson. I have no idea how good he is but chances are he will be a regular next season. Up until now the only big name they lost is Placente. Franca also seems to be very unhappy and is likely to leave. But still I think Leverkusen will be a contender for Champions league next season. Although UEFA-Cup seems to be a more realistic goal.
My Prediction: Place 3-6
Borussia Dortmund:
This team drives me nuts. Last year they seemed pretty strong before the season started but then had a horrible first half of the season. After the winter break it looked very bad and suddently they had a fantastic second half. So this year they seem even stronger than last season with new players like Degen and Buckley and suddently they play really bad in the Intertoto-Cup against some third rate Czech team. So I guess we could see something like last season, with a poor start and a strong finish.
My Prediction: Place 5-11
Hamburger SV:
The team that made the greatest leap quality wise this summer. The new signings are great, especially van der Vaart. But in the last decade, Hamburg was always sort of an under achiever.
My Prediction: Place 3-8
VfL Wolfsburg:
They are in a similar situation as last year. A lot depends on D'Alessandro. In contrast to Dortmund, they had a strong start last year and an extremely poor finish. Anyways, I don't see them much stronger as last year.
My Prediction: Place 7-12
Hannover 96:
Solid signings here (Hashemian, Brdaric, Delura, Balitsch).However, I don't think that the UEFA-Cup is realistic. Still, Hannover might be able to upset some bigger teams.
My Prediction: Place 7-12
FSV Mainz 05:
They had a great first Bundesliga season. Yet their goal this year should still be to avoid relegation. It all depend on how they start into the new season. If they can build enough momentum from the start, they souldn't be in trouble.
My Prediction: Place 10-16
1. FC Kaiserslautern:
Their goal should also be to avoid relegation. Kaiserslautern has a solid team that should be able to do so, but with this team you never know.
My Prediction: Place 10-16
Arminia Bielefeld:
I think Bielefeld will have a lot of trouble next season. With Buckley, Skela and Owomoyela gone it will be very hard to stay in the Bundesliga.
My Prediction: Place 14-18
1. FC Nürnberg:
Another team that should focus on not getting relegated. Last year they had to thank Mintal for remaining in the Bundesliga. However I doubt that he can repeat his great season. But the new signings look pretty solid, so they should be able to make it.
My Prediction: Place 11-16
Borussia Mönchengladbach:
They already signed a lot of good players last winter, but they didn't seem to make the impact M'gladbach was hoping for. Their signings so far are also solid ones. If they are able to form a functioning team and if Elber finally gets back
on track, they should remain in the Bundesliga. And if it all works out well, they can even be a surprise team.
My Prediction: Place 10-16
1. FC Köln:
Again they were the dominating team of the second league. Their signings seem to be quite good and with Podolski up front they should score enough goals to remain in the Bundesliga.
My Prediction: Place 11-17
MSV Duisburg:
Duisburg had a very good season in the second league. Yet I don't think it's enough to avoid relegation again. But then again, who would have thought that Mainz is still in the Bundesliga?
My Prediction: Place 14-18
Eintracht Frankfurt:
Also one of the teams that will have problems. Although with a better shot to remain in the Bundesliga than Duisburg. But still with some question marks: Can Jermaine Jones finally live up to his talent? Can Marko Rehmer really strengthen the team? And will they be able to get Ioannis Amanatidis?
My Prediction: Place 13-18
Now, since those predictions are still very vague, here's a table based on the predictions above:
1. Bayern München
2. Werder Bremen
3. VfB Stuttgart
4. FC Schalke 05
5. Hamburger SV
6. Bayer Leverkusen
7. Hertha BSC Berlin
8. Borussia Dortmund
9. Hannover 96
10. VfL Wolfsburg
11. Borussia Mönchengladbach
12. 1. FC Nürnberg
13. FSV Mainz 05
14. 1. FC Köln
15. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
16. Eintracht Frankfurt
17. MSV Duisburg
18. Arminia Bielefeld
Of course, at this point of pre-season, this is still far from being accurate, but it's a starting point for a discussion.