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Top football leagues in the world, especially Europe have their champions predicted since mid-season. English Premier League (Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and of late Manchester City), La Liga (Barcelona and Real Madrid, none other than these two teams), Serie A (AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus and Roma).
Bundesliga, the third most popular league in Europe has not stepped in this popular trend of prediction. It has been one of the most unpredictable popular leagues in Europe with the league table turning upside down in couple of games. This season, has also witnessed this exclusive feature of Bundesliga.
For instance, 21 times champion Bayern Munich with two consecutive loss in their recent games have dropped down to fifth place in the league. This has made them to struggle for a Champions League spot next season, let alone win the league. VfL Wolfsburg, the 2008-09 champions are looming just over the relegation zone, further dropping points losing 0-3 to 2006-07 champions VfB Stuttgart, who are already battling to move out of the relegation table! 2001-02 and three times champion, Borussia Dortmund have been the only consistent side in the league this season and thus have been rewarded the top spot in the table with a 12 point cushion. Bayer 04 Leverkusen, who have never won the league are placed in the second spot with 49 points and are well placed to qualify for the Champions League next season. FC Schalke, who are currently playing in the Champions League are holding up in the mid table and their chance of retaining a Champions League seat is vanishing with every game.
PREDICTIONS:
Despite the league being so unpredictable, ‘so early’ in Bundesliga, here are my predictions…
The Champion
With only nine fixtures left, Borussia Dortmund will steal the Bundesliga title this season from Bayern Munich. With 61 points in their kitty and second placed Leverkusen at distant 49 points, Dortmund will land up with their 4th Bundesliga title this season.
Champions League Battle
Borussia Dortmund will qualify for sure. The battle for the other automatic qualification spot and the Champions League qualifier will be tough with Bayer Leverkusen, Hannover 96, FSV Mainz 05 and Bayern Munich vying for Europe. My predictions: Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen (qualifier) will qualify for Champions League.
Relegation zone
Relegation battle will be very exciting and tough with almost eight teams battling to move out of the bottom three places. Borussia M’gladbach at the bottom of the table will have a very tough task to climb the ladder. SV Werder Bremen, VfL Wolfburg and VfB Stuttgart have the potential and flair to move out of trouble and will hopefully make it too. My prediction: FC St. Pauli, 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Borussia M’gladbach will not make it to the Bundesliga next season.
BUNDESLIGA STANDINGS SO FAR
