Where we Stand in the Bundesliga Ahead of the Return

23/01/23 1889

Just over a month after the World Cup final, the Bundesliga will return to action with every other league across the continent’s top five divisions already back in the swing of things.

Germany’s top flight will resume with a mouthwatering tie between RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich on Friday night, as the champions look to stamp their marker down once more in pursuit of title number 11 in a row.

Here’s where we stand in the Bundesliga ahead of the return.

Bayern Four Clear

After a troubling start to the season that saw Bayern down in third after a bunch of games, the champions are now back on top and four points clear of Freiburg.

It’s no surprise to see the 32-time Bundesliga winners in first place, but the surprising factor of this Bundesliga season is how Freiburg are in a title race.

​The club have moved up the ranks in the past three seasons with a top 10 finish in each of them, including a sixth-placed finish last campaign.

Now, however, Freiburg are two clear of Leipzig and although they will want Leipzig to beat Bayern, this could just mean they move into third as a result.

Regardless of this fact, it seems as if it is Bayern’s title to lose once again and title number 33 and 11 in a row feels like another guarantee.

Dortmund in Trouble But With Hope

It’s been a dreadful season for Borussia Dortmund. Over 10 years have passed since Dortmund last won the title and it's been seven years since they finished outside of the top four - they have finished second in four of those seasons.

Now, however, the Black and Yellow are down in sixth and although Champions League qualification is still well on for them, they are nine behind Bayern and practically out of the title race.

Ahead of their game against Augsburg, Dortmund have won eight games and lost six and sit behind fourth by only two points.

What’s more, with Leipzig the favourites to lose all three points against Bayern, they could be within just two points of third at the end of this week.

Schalke Abysmal Once More and Hertha Still Not Clear

Schalke are a massive club in Germany and to see them in such disarray over the past few years still feels odd. They were promoted back into the top flight last season, but it is turning out to be another dreadful campaign.

Schalke have only nine points from 15 games and although they are still in with a solid chance to stay in the league with just a five-point gap on 15th, it's hard to imagine them getting out of the bottom three with just two wins all season so far.

Hertha Berlin are another huge club in tatters this year, but they are out of the relegation spots ahead of the return to action. They are just above Stuttgart in 16th by goals difference, however, and not safe from a place in the bottom three by any means.