The German record national player gives his prognosis for the new Bundesliga season.
The new Bundesliga season is just around the corner – and like every year, we ask ourselves before it starts: Who will win the championship? Who will qualify for European competition? Who will be relegated? Opinions on these questions vary widely.
Lothar Matthäus has now compiled his own forecast for the 2025/26 Bundesliga standings for Sport Bild, and at least there are no surprises regarding the title. "FC Bayern is the clear favorite to win the championship if they do their homework again. The departure of legend Thomas Müller won't change that," said the record-breaking German international. "I think the team's hierarchy, with players like Neuer, Kane, Kimmich, and Goretzka, is stable enough. From a sporting perspective, they should also be able to cope with Musiala's absence in the first half of the season with this squad."
BVB as Bayern's first pursuer
Matthäus sees the same three teams in the Champions League standings as last season – albeit in a different order. BVB, which only slipped into the top four at the last minute last season, will finish runners-up according to Matthäus's prediction – and there may even be more in store: "If FC Bayern falter, Borussia Dortmund has to be there this season. The squad has the potential, and coach Niko Kovac can get it out of him. It's important that the bosses and players have 100 percent confidence in their coach."
Leipzig and Stuttgart out of the Champions League
This also means that RB Leipzig would miss out on the Champions League again. "My prediction probably won't please Leipzig," Matthäus admits, "because at Red Bull, they expect success and, ideally, titles. Especially after Jürgen Klopp was hired as the mastermind. But I see more quality and experience in Frankfurt and Leverkusen."
Behind Leipzig, Matthäus sees VfB Stuttgart in sixth place. Much will depend on how the Nick Woltemade saga continues: "The attacker could make the difference in sporting terms if he stays. Without him, it probably won't be enough for the Champions League."
Heidenheim and Hoffenheim relegated
At the other end of the table, Matthäus sees TSG Hoffenheim as relegated teams alongside 1. FC Heidenheim. "Frank Schmidt should hang my table in the locker room as motivation against relegation," Matthäus said of FCH. "If anyone can pull off the miracle of avoiding relegation again, it's Frank Schmidt. I hope he proves me wrong again this season."
At TSG, Matthäus sees "too much unrest at the club," and he's unsure whether keeping Christian Ilzer will pay off. "Only if Stach and Bischof find equivalent replacements in midfield do I see Hoffenheim at least in the relegation zone."
However, Matthäus is tipping HSV for the relegation playoff spot: "The fans may forgive me, because I'm convinced that HSV can play in relegation – and will ultimately prevail."
The TV expert sees the second-promoted team from Cologne above the relegation zone. "I haven't seen such unanimity at 1. FC Köln for a long time," Matthäus explained. "That's the fundamental prerequisite for their current success."
Matthäus' prediction for the Bundesliga table
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