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As the 2024-25 Bundesliga prepares to kick off, the race for the German title is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent years.
Bayern Munich is the perennial favorite, but several challengers are emerging. Bayern’s streak of 11 consecutive German top-flight titles was snapped last season after Bayer Leverkusen posted an eye-popping undefeated campaign. Do Xabi Alonso’s men have an encore performance in them? Or will Bayern bounce back and reclaim their rightful place at the top of the table?
In this article, I’ll break down the latest soccer betting odds and analyze the chances for the top contenders for the Bundesliga championship.
2024-25 Bundesliga Odds
Bundesliga Odds | Bundesliga Odds |
---|---|
Bayern Munich (-200) | Bayer Leverkusen (+275) |
Borussia Dortmund (+1100) | RB Leipzig (+1400) |
Stuttgart (+3500) | Eintracht Frankfurt (+8000) |
Borussia Monchengladbach (+10000) | Hoffenheim (+13000) |
Wolfsburg (+13000) | Werder Bremen (+15000) |
Freiburg (+18000) | Mainz (+20000) |
FC Heidenheim (+20000) | Union Berlin (+20000) |
Bochum (+35000) | St. Pauli (+40000) |
Holstein Kiel (+50000) | Augsburg (+50000) |
Bayern Munich: -200
Bayern Munich enters the 2024-25 season as the overwhelming favorite to win the Bundesliga title, with odds set at -200. The Bavarians have been the dominant force in German football for over a decade, winning the title 11 times in a row prior to last term. Their squad depth, world-class talent, and financial muscle make them the team to beat yet again. Not only did Bayern fail to win the league last season, but they fell to third behind Bayer Leverkusen and Stuttgart.
Bayern are one of the most talented sides in the world, so the oddsmakers’ enthusiasm for their title chances is understandable. Star striker Harry Kane wasted no time in acclimating himself to the German game last season, though his trophy drought continues. In an attempt to get back to the top of the table, Bayern have signed ex-Fulham defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha and an intriguing young French talent in Michael Olise.
As of now, Bayern haven’t lost any key players from last season, either. Jamal Musiala – who was one of the breakout stars of Euro 2024 – should only continue to improve in the years to come. This is easily the deepest team in the Bundesliga, though there are questions on the touchline. Bayern’s new manager – Vincent Kompany – didn’t enjoy a lot of success in his first managerial gig in England with Burnley.
Despite being heavy favorites, Bayern isnāt without their challenges. A congested fixture schedule – including commitments in the UEFA Champions League – could lead to fatigue later in the year. Moreover, if key players suffer injuries or if thereās a dip in form, the door could open for challengers.
Bayernās -200 odds reflect the expectation that they will continue their dominance, but in soccer, nothing is ever guaranteed. Just ask Harry Kane.
Bayer Leverkusen: +275
Bayer Leverkusen stands out as the primary challenger to Bayern Munich this season, with odds of +275. Leverkusen is fresh off of one of the most dominant seasons we’ve seen in any of the major European domestic leagues for quite some time, and it’ll be fascinating to see how they follow it up.
Despite attracting interest from Liverpool, manager Xabi Alonso decided to run it back in Germany. The legendary Spanish midfielder-turned-manager guided the side to Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal trophies as well as a 2nd-place finish in the UEFA Europa League. Leverkusen set a new European record for most matches without a loss (49), breaking the previous record of 48 set by Benfica between 1963 and 1965. In all, Leverkusen lost just once in 53 games last season, and that lone defeat came at the hands of Atalanta in the Europa League final.
Leverkusen haven’t lost any of their main players from last season, while they’ve brought in a few reinforcements via the transfer market. Left winger Martin Terrier and central midfielder Aleix Garcia will give Alonso some useful depth, while the team added a promising young central defender in Jeanuel Belocian from Stade Rennais in France.
Leverkusen’s success last season was marked by their impressive attacking prowess. The team’s fast-paced, fluid style of play consistently overwhelmed opponents. Breakout stars like Florian Wirtz and Moussa Diaby offer creativity and speed that can trouble any defense. Not losing Alonso to a bigger side was also massive for Leverkusen’s hopes to repeat as champions this term.
Leverkusen’s challenge will be consistency. After going unbeaten in league play last year, they won’t be sneaking up on anybody. They have shown the ability to compete with the best on their day, but slipping up against lower-ranked teams has cost them in the past. To challenge Bayern, Leverkusen will need to maintain focus throughout the season, particularly in head-to-head matches.
Leverkusen’s +275 odds suggest they are seen as the most likely to disrupt Bayern’s title charge, but it will require a near-perfect season given Bayern’s likely motivation to get back to the top of the pack.
Borussia Dortmund: +1100
Borussia Dortmund finds itself in a familiar position as the third favorite, with odds of +1100. Despite consistently finishing in the top four, Dortmund has struggled to close the gap on Bayern Munich in recent seasons. Dortmund gave Bayern headaches under Jurgen Klopp over a decade ago, but they’re in search of their first Bundesliga crown since 2011-12.
Last season was a strange one. Dortmund’s 5th-place finish in the league was their worst since a 7th-place run in 2014-15. However, that very same side made a Cinderella run to the UEFA Champions League final, where they ultimately succumbed to Real Madrid.
Manager Edin Terzic decided to leave the club after last season, and he was replaced by ex-Dortmund star Nuri Sahin. This will be Sahin’s first managerial gig at any level, so it’ll be interesting to see how the 35-year-old fares as he’s thrown directly into the fire.
Dortmund have conducted a raid of rivals Stuttgart this summer with a pair of signings. The Black-and-Yellows have brought in Waldemar Anton and Serhou Guirassy for a combined ā¬40 million. There are a few notable departures as well, however. Leading scorer Niclas Fullkrug will ply his craft for West Ham in the Premier League after a stellar season in Germany. Longtime club servants Mats Hummels and Marco Reus have moved on, while Jadon Sancho and Ian Maatsen are back with their English clubs after loan spells with Dortmund last year.
Dortmundās youth development is second to none, as they’ve produced world-class talents like Jude Bellingham and Christian Pulisic over the years. Their attacking philosophy remains central to their approach, with a focus on high-pressing and quick transitions. The passionate support at Signal Iduna Park is also a significant advantage.
The main challenge for Dortmund is their defensive frailties. While their attack can match any team, defensive lapses have cost them valuable points. Furthermore, the teamās reliance on young talent can be a double-edged sword, with inexperience leading to inconsistency.
At +1100, Dortmund is viewed as an outsider for the title, but they have the potential to spring a surprise if they can tighten up defensively and find consistency.
RB Leipzig: +1400
RB Leipzig is another club with ambitions of breaking Bayernās stranglehold on the Bundesliga, with odds set at +1400. Since their promotion to the Bundesliga in 2016, Leipzig has quickly established itself as a force in German soccer.
Leipzig have finished 4th or better in the league in every year since 2018-19, including a 4th-place showing last season. They were also ousted in the second round of the DFB-Pokal after winning the competition in both 2022 and 2023.
Leipzigās success has been built on a strong tactical foundation, with an emphasis on pressing and fast, vertical play. The clubās ability to develop and integrate young players into the first team has also been a hallmark of their rise. Star man Dani Olmo is set to move to Barcelona, however, which will be a huge loss. They’ve historically reinvested money wisely, though we’ll see whether they can find a replacement for the young attacker.
One of Leipzig’s main questions will be whether they can replace the goals and creativity of Olmo. The squad has depth, but the loss of their talisman could impact their ability to challenge consistently. Additionally, the pressure of competing on multiple fronts, including the Champions League, could stretch their resources.
Leipzigās +1400 odds reflect their status as a dark horseācapable of competing but needing everything to align perfectly to mount a serious title challenge.
Stuttgart: +3500
Stuttgart enters the conversation as a long shot at +3500, but their odds indicate that they are not to be completely dismissed.
Stuttgartās youth-oriented approach has begun to bear fruit, with a number of exciting talents emerging. Their style of play, centered on quick, direct attacks, can catch more established teams off guard. As mentioned, though, they have lost a few key players to bigger clubs this summer. In addition to Anton and Guirassy joining Dortmund, Stuttgart have also lost central defender Hiroki Ito to Bayern Munich.
Last season’s 2nd-place finish was shocking considering the side finished a dismal 16th the year before. However, their inexperience and lack of squad depth compared to the top teams could prove to be significant obstacles. Consistency over a 34-game season is often the Achilles’ heel for teams like Stuttgart.
The odds indicate bookmakers aren’t too confident in Stuttgart’s ability to surprise again and finish near the top of the table.
Who Will Win the Bundesliga Title?
The 2024-25 Bundesliga season is shaping up to be another thrilling campaign, with Bayern Munich as the clear favorite. That said, several challengers are eager to keep them off their perch. While Bayernās dominance is reflected in their -200 odds, teams like Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund offer value for those looking for potential value.
Bayern are the smart bet as favorites, but there is essentially no upside in wagering on their -200 title odds. Those that made similar bets last year at this time were burned badly when they ultimately fell to 3rd. I think there’s reason to believe Leverkusen can win consecutive titles considering they’re essentially the same team they were last season.
Keeping Bayern at bay won’t be easy, but you don’t often get the reigning champions at such favorable odds.
Best Bet: Bayer Leverkusen (+225)