Bayern eye fifth straight title (updated)

If the predictions can be relied upon, Bayern are a safe bet to win their fifth consecutive German title at the end of the 54th Bundesliga season. In advance of their curtain raiser against Werder Bremen this Friday evening, 16 of the 18 top division's coaches expect the Bavarians to be the top dog in the country's football again.

Only Hertha BSC coach Pal Dardei feels Bayer Leverkusen are capable of springing a surprise.

"Good coach, fast team with high quality," Dardei says about his surprising choice that has until now never managed to win the German title. Borussia Dortmund`s coach Thomas Tuchel also did not want to congratulate Bayern Munich right away.

"Let's wait and see," Tuchel said. Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Schalke 04, Borussia Moenchengladbach and VfL Wolfsburg are generally seen as being Bayern's biggest rivals for the new season.

But looking at the quality of its squad, Bayern Munich's next national title at first glance seems to be a foregone conclusion. Having lost none of its stars like striker Robert Lewandowski and with the added quality of defender Mats Hummels (from Borussia Dortmund) and 2016 European Champion midfielder Renato Sanches (from Benfica Lisbon), no German rival seems to be strong enough to challenge the 26-time German league champion.

"We have the right coach and the right team to enjoy a successful season," Bayern Munich head of board Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says. And Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti expects "us to be ready to face any challenge. I expect Borussia Dortmund will be our closest rival. On top, I expect Bayer Leverkusen will have a good season and challenge everybody," the Italian star coach said.

Former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld expects Borussia Dortmund to be title holder's closest rival in the race for the league championship.

"I expect them to snap at Bayern Munich's heels this season again. Borussia Dortmund has made clever transfers and will be strong despite the loss of important players like Ilkay Guendogan, Mats Hummels and Hendrik Mkhitaryan," Hitzfeld said.

"I hope it won't be a piece of cake for Bayern. My wish would be a more thrilling season," Hitzfeld said after Dortmund bought German stars like the returning Mario Goetze (from Bayern Munich) and Andre Schuerrle (from VfL Wolfsburg).

Others like former Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Manchester City midfielder Dietmar Hamann expect a difficult season for Bayern. He is predicting for older players like Arjen Robben, PhilippLahm, Franck Ribery and Xabi Alonso, all over 30 year, when it comes to mastering the demands of the many competitions.

"The team stands and falls with Arjen Robben," Hamann said.

"In tight games the team counts on Robben knowing he makes the difference. Kingsley Coman and Douglas Costa still need time or have to prove themselves at a top level over a longer period," Hamann continued.

Bayern, Hamann predicts, will get into trouble, when they are suffering from injuries. "And we have to see how an important player like Thomas Mueller does after a long and energy sapping season like the last one which ended with a major tournament - Euro 2016 - in France," Hamann said. The 42-year-old expects it to be a special challenge for Bayern to restructure its squad as a new generation of players will soon have to step into the breach.

For Hamann the uncertainty of Bayern's future is a "very big chance for Dortmund and Leverkusen. No doubt, Bayern still has a lot of quality, but I would not be surprised if we see a different German champion this season". He feels Bayern and their new coach Carlo Ancelotti will have to develop a new style of play "which always takes some time. We should not expect miracles from Ancelotti. He is by all means one of the best coaches in football, but even he needs time to adapt to a new team, a new league and a new language" .

Other than in Spain (Real Madrid), France (Olympique Lyon) and Italy (Juventus Turin), in German football history no club has managed to win five national titles in succession. But most pundits expect the title race to only involve a few clubs with the big favorite being Bayern Munich. More tension in German football is expected when it comes to relegation. Up to ten clubs are expected to be among the candidates fighting to avoid the drop and live to fight another season in Germany's top division next time around.

Not only league newcomer RB Leipzig is among them but SC Freiburg, FC Ingolstadt, Werder Bremen, Eintracht Frankfurt, SV Darmstadt 98 and Hamburger SV too. Many German fans hope for a surprise this upcoming season. Just like in 2007, when VfB Stuttgart won the title. Or in 2009, when VfL Wolfsburg managed to be the top club like Borussia Dortmund in 2011 and 2012.

Meanwhile Carlo Ancelotti would not mind going through a "boring" season with Bayern Munich again.

"The Bundesliga is never boring. The big difference in comparison to many others leagues is, the fans still have fun," Ancelotti said. Enditem