Bundesliga second act promises to be a classic

Bayern had followed a similar path to PSG and Juventus in recent times, not really giving fans a title race to talk about and measuring their success by progress in the Champions League. Things are, of course, very different this season.  Borussia Dortmund, who get their own campaign back underway with a tricky away tie at Leipzig on Saturday 20th January, lead Bayern by six points, a position which even the most ardent fans didn’t expect to see at this stage of the season.

Dortmund have stepped up a level under Favre

In short, the Bundesliga looks like it is going to offer up a title race for the first time since Robert Lewandowski was wearing a Dortmund shirt. Part of it is down to the fact that Bayern have not been their imperious selves in the early part of the season, but all credit must go to Dortmund who have been playing scintillating football under Lucien Favre.

The current odds from 888sport sees Dortmund favourite at 7/10 to take a first Bundesliga title since Jurgen Klopp was in charge, with Bayern Munich coming in at 11/10. Some punters will snap at Bayern at odds-against, after starting several successive seasons at odds-on before a ball was even kicked.

Monchengladbach shouldn’t be ruled out

However, what adds even more intrigue to this title race is that it may not be a two-way tussle between the Der Klassiker rivals. Borrussia Monchengladbach might just represent one of the savviest football bets of the season, priced at 50/1 to win the Bundesliga. It seems like a long-shot, but when put under scrutiny, you can make a real case for Monchengladbach.

They are just three points behind Bayern in the table, but have a couple of advantages: Firstly, they do not have to worry about European football, whereas Bayern and Dortmund (priced at 14/1 and 33/1 respectively) will be aiming to go deep into the Champions League. Secondly, and perhaps an overlooked factor, both Dortmund and Bayern must travel to Borussia-Park later in the season, a venue where Monchengladbach have a 100% record this season.

Even if Borussia Monchengladbach don’t make it a three-horse race, there is a real freshness about the Bundesliga this season that should excite fans. Bayern had a big wobble in the autumn, but they seem to have been rewarded by keeping faith in manager Niko Kovac and haven’t lost since a 3-2 defeat to Dortmund in a thrilling Der Klassiker in November.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/8VBAHCEtUrY

January signings could have an impact in tight race

January signings may have an impact, of course, but one would imagine that Favre will be happy with his options for the second half of the season. Dortmund really have become one of the most exciting teams in Europe again, and should do everything to hold on to some of the younger stars beyond next season.

It’s obviously too early to tell if the meeting between Dortmund and Bayern at the Allianz Arena on the 5th April will be a title decider, but the hope for the neutral is that the race narrows slightly by that point, helping the excitement build. Regardless, even at this mid-point in the campaign, having any type of title race is something to celebrate.