Bundesliga Predictions - Week 1
The Bundesliga had it all last season as Bayer Leverkusen snapped Bayern Munich's title-winning run in style and Stuttgart defied expectations to finish second.
But will the 2024-25 campaign deliver much of the same?
Ahead of the opening weekend, we run through all nine matches and give a score prediction for each.
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen (Friday, 7.30pm)
Last season Bayer Leverkusen were crowned Bundesliga champions without losing a game, won the DFB Pokal and reached the final of the Europa League.
They should be at full strength for this season opener on Friday and can see off Borussia Monchengladbach comfortably.
Score prediction: Borussia Monchengladbach 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen
Leipzig vs Bochum (Saturday, 2.30pm)
Leipzig have a handful of absentees to contend with in this game with Christoph Baumgartner and Xaver Schlager out but they won 11 of their 17 home games last term and should beat Bochum.
Score prediction: Leipzig 2-1 Bochum
Hoffenheim vs Holstein Kiel (Saturday, 2.30pm)
Hoffenheim failed to win 10 of their 17 home games in the Bundesliga last term and they could be tested by sprightly Holstein Kiel, who are preparing for their first ever season in the Bundesliga.
Score prediction: Hoffenheim 1-1 Holstein Kiel
Mainz vs Union Berlin ( Saturday, 2.30pm)
Six of Mainz's seven league victories in 2023-24 came on home soil. Expect them to get the better of Union Berlin, who finished 15th last term.
Score prediction: Mainz 1-0 Union Berlin
Freiburg vs Stuttgart (Saturday, 2.30pm)
Stuttgart lost goal machine Serhou Guirassy to Borussia Dortmund this summer but Ermedin Demirovic has been signed from Augsburg and Denis Undav's loan has been made permanent.
They may not win on Saturday but they can contribute to a high-scoring draw with Freiburg.
Score prediction: Freiburg 2-2 Stuttgart
Augsburg vs Werder Bremen (Saturday, 2.30pm)
Only two places and three points separated these sides in the 2023-24 league standings and a draw could be on the cards on Saturday.
Score prediction: Augsburg 1-1 Werder Bremen
Borussia Dortmund vs Eintracht Frankfurt (Saturday, 5.30pm)
Borussia Dortmund finished just one place above Eintracht Frankfurt last season but they collected 16 more points and can show their class at Signal Iduna Park.
It has been a busy summer for Die Schwarzgelben and their new signings can help them to victory.
Score prediction: Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
Wolfsburg vs Bayern Munich (Sunday, 2.30pm)
Vincent Kompany will be under pressure to deliver from the start for Bayern Munich and they should get over the line in their opener with Wolfsburg, who finished 12th in last season's Bundesliga.
Score prediction: Wolfsburg 1-2 Bayern Munich
St Pauli vs Heidenheim (Sunday, 4.30pm)
Newly promoted St Pauli are known for generating brilliant atmospheres and they can open with a home win against Hoffenheim, having warmed up with pre-season wins over Lyon, Norwich and Atalanta.
Score prediction: St Pauli 1-0 Heidenheim