By Tomi Rantanen
Bayern München not slowing down
It’s been four seasons of pure dominance by Bayern München in Bundesliga. Similar performance is expected this season, with key acquisitions like Mats Hummels and Portuguese prodigy Renato Sanches taking over after past-their-prime veterans. New manager Carlo Ancelotti has a plethora of choices to pick his starting lineup from and there’s no doubt of the favorite to win their fifth consecutive championship.
Dortmund, who are the last champions before Bayern took over, are in a similar spot before each season – their best players are headed elsewhere, this time to rivals Bayern München, Manchester United and Manchester City, but there’s still a good vibe with the signing of German international Andre Schürrle and the return of prodigal son Mario Götze.
Even if the top two teams seems set already before the season, with Accuscore season simulation we can predict with precision how the Bundesliga will turn out for the season 2016/2017.
Here is how the simulations play out:
|
1
|
Bayern Munchen
|
89
|
|
2
|
Borussia Dortmund
|
83
|
|
3
|
Bayer Leverkusen
|
72
|
|
4
|
Mainz 05
|
70
|
|
5
|
Schalke 04
|
69
|
|
6
|
Borussia M'gladbach
|
61
|
|
7
|
Augsburg
|
60
|
|
8
|
Wolfsburg
|
58
|
|
9
|
Hertha BSC
|
52
|
|
10
|
Koln
|
49
|
|
11
|
Hoffenheim
|
45
|
|
12
|
Hamburger SV
|
41
|
|
13
|
Werder Bremen
|
40
|
|
14
|
Eintracht Frankfurt
|
40
|
|
15
|
Ingolstadt
|
38
|
|
16
|
Darmstadt 98
|
36
|
|
17
|
RB Leipzig
|
36
|
|
18
|
Freiburg
|
34
|
As expected Bayern München will be the top dog once again, tailed closely by Borussia Dortmund only six points behind. The top six teams are the same as last season, with Leverkusen taking their usual 3rd place. However, Mainz seems to continue their climb up the hierarchy. Placed 6th last season, Mainz have made some excellent additions to their rather thin rotation and look ready for the challenge – despite losing their no. 1 goalkeeper Loris Karius to Liverpool.
The relegation battle is as close as ever – last season only a single win separated the 12th and 16th place. According to simulations, newly promoted RB Leipzig and Freiburg are going back down, with Darmstadt headed to relegation-playoffs. Leipzig and Freiburg have barely been able to replace the departures, let alone strengthen their squads to Bundesliga level.
