- The new Bundesliga season gets underway on Friday
- Borussia Dortmund have finished second in two of the last three Bundesliga seasons
- Serhou Guirassy struck 28 goals in the Bundesliga last term

It is fair to say the Bundesliga did not disappoint in the 2023-24 season.

Bayern Munich's 11-year reign as Bundesliga champions was abruptly halted by a record-breaking Bayer Leverkusen team, who became the first Bundesliga winners to go the season unbeaten.

As if that was not enough, Xabi Alonso's men also went on to win the DFB Pokal and reach the final of the Europa League.

The good news for Leverkusen fans is the bulk of that team has been kept together, but maintaining the levels they showed last season will not be easy with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund both under new management and Leipzig hungry for more success.

Bayern should pose a greater threat

Finishing below Stuttgart down in third spot was simply unacceptable for Bayern Munich last season, but they should come back with a vengeance in 2024-25.

Vincent Kompany's arrival as manager after suffering relegation with Burnley has raised eyebrows but he has a star-studded squad at his disposal.

Harry Kane, for all his faults at Euro 2024, was prolific in his first Bundesliga season, while Michael Olise joins from Crystal Palace and adds to an eye-watering crop of attacking midfielders that includes Jamal Musiala, Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry.

Joao Palhinha, meanwhile, is a smart addition in the midfield anchor role and Hiroki Ito has arrived from Stuttgart in defence.

All in all, this Bayern Munich team is down but not out and their tally of 72 points last term would have been enough to win the title the season before, so their decline is not as bad as it looks.

Leverkusen have their work cut out replicating last season, especially given their Champions League involvement, and Bayern Munich look ready to pounce.

Dortmund should be in the mix

Assuming Bayern can justify their tag as favourites to win the title, the more interesting battle could come in the fight to finish best of the rest.

Leverkusen, Dortmund and Leipzig will all be competitors and there is appeal for them all.

Dortmund have bid farewell to Marco Reus and Mats Hummels, but that allows for a new-look team to impress and Nuri Sahin will be looking to make the most of tempered expectations at Signal Iduna Park.

Recapturing Xavi Simons on loan from PSG could be crucial for Leipzig, but the rest of their transfer business has been about building for the future, with youngsters Maarten Vandevoort, Assan Ouedraogo and Antonio Nusa all arriving this summer. 

Prediction

Dortmund look the most likely candidate to finish best of the rest behind Bayern Munich.

It is a bold move to oppose Leverkusen after what they did last season and they may well prove their doubters wrong, but Dortmund look the more well-rounded option.

Not only did they reach the final of the Champions League last season, but they have made smart reinforcements throughout the team, with defender Waldemar Anton and striker Serhou Guirassy both arriving from Stuttgart.

Maximilian Beier, meanwhile, is a great addition from Hoffenheim and former Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross adds experience in the middle of the park.

The pressure will be off after Dortmund finished fifth last term, but they have been runners-up in two of the last three seasons and should be more competitive this time around.

New Dortmund forward Guirassy is also likely to be a contender to finish as the division's top scorer.

Kane is undoubtedly the favourite for that accolade, but his fatigue was clear to see at Euro 2024 and he might not be quite as prolific as last term.

Guirassy bagged 28 league goals for Stuttgart in 2023-24 and has even more creativity around him at Dortmund, while he only has to compete with Sebastian Haller for a starting spot after the departure of Niclas Fullkrug.