Predicting week 1 of the Bundesliga

European football is back! There is plenty of excited heading into this weekend as many of the major leagues including the Bundesliga return to action for the 2022-23 season. Here are my predictions for the week.

Bayern Munich @ Eintracht Frankfurt:

The opening day fixture features the Europa League Champions Eintracht Frankfurt hosting the 2021-22 title holders Bayern Munich. Both clubs won in their final match-up heading into the season as Eintracht Frankfurt beat FC Magdeburg 4-0 in DFB Pokal competition while Bayern Munich beat RB Leipzig 5-3 in the DFL Supercup. One thing to note is that Eintracht Frankfurt has a midweek game coming up against Real Madrid for the UEFA Super Cup to prepare for and that might affect would plays in this opening night fixture.

Prediction: 3-1 Bayern Munich

Mainz @ VfL Bochum:

Both clubs finished mid-table last season in the Bundesliga and are hoping to take a step in the right direction towards European competition this season. Both clubs also won their opening games in the DFB Pokal competition with Mainz defending Erzgebirge 3-0 and VfL Bochum defeated Viktoria Berlin 3-0. Last season the home team won on both occasions and despite my prediction of Bochum facing relegation this season, I think they will earn something from this match.

Prediction: 1-1 draw

SC Freiburg @ Augsburg:

Freiburg are hoping to build on a strong sixth place finish last season while Augsburg finished 14th last year. Freiburg won on both occasions against Augsburg last season with a 3-0 and 2-1 victory. Both teams won their opening fixtures in the DFB Pokal competition this past weekend. I think Freiburg have a solid team and I believe they will open this Bundesliga campaign with a victory.

Prediction: 2-0 SC Freiburg

Werder Bremen @ VfL Wolfsburg:

I'm super excited to see Werder Bremen back in the Bundesliga this season and they are up against a very motivated Wolfsburg team that struggled last year. Watch out for new additions Patrick Wimmer and Mattias Svanberg on Wolfsburg this season. This is a home match for Wolfsburg and I expect them to make a statement.

Prediction: 3-0 Wolfsburg

Hertha Berlin @ Union Berlin:

The Berlin derby was all Union Berlin last season with Union winning three matches while outscoring Hertha Berlin 9-3 during those games. Hertha Berlin was terrible defensively last season as they conceeded 71 league goals and their hoping the additions of Omar Alderte and Filip Uremovic defensively will help. Union Berlin is hoping to build on the success of last season and what better way than beating a rival on opening weekend.

Prediction: 2-1 Union Berlin

Hoffenheim @ Borussia Monchengladbach:

These clubs finished almost equal on points last season in 9th and 10th place but they each have ambitions for a top six finish this season. Borussia Monchengladbach won 5-1 at home last season against Hoffenheim and they drew the other match 1-1. Monchengladbach won 9-1 in the first round of the DFB Pokal this past weekend and I have confidence in their offense getting the job done.

Prediction: 3-1 Monchengladbach

Bayer Leverkusen @ Borussia Dortmund:

This is a stellar opening day match-up with two of the best German clubs going head-to-head. The road team actually won on each occasion last season as Leverkusen beat Dortmund 5-2 and Dortmund won 4-3 in the other game. Bayer Leverkusen lost in the opening round of the DFB Pokal 4-3 to SV Elversberg and that raises a lot of concerns entering this road game. I expect a high scoring game but for Dortmund to come out on top.

Prediction: 4-2 Borussia Dortmund

RB Leipzig @VfB Stuttgart:

In the all-time Bundesliga results between these two clubs RB Leipzig is 7-1-0 and they outscored Stuttgart 6-0 last season in the two games. Stuttgart struggled to beat Dynamo Dresden 1-0 in the opening round of the DFB Pokal and RB Leipzig lost 5-3 against Bayern Munich in the Super Cup. Stuttgart has some good players but I think RB Leipzig are just too complete and they should win this one comfortably.

Prediction: 2-0 RB Leipzig

Schalke @ FC Koln:

It was weird having Schalke compete in the second tier Bundesliga but the big German club is back in the Bundesliga this season. They have a difficult opening day game against FC Koln who finished 7th place last season. FC Koln lost in the opening round of the DFB Pokal on penalties against Jahn Regensburg this past weekend while Schalke beat Bremer SV 5-0. This is a very close match-up in my opinion and I think each team will earn a point.

Prediction: 1-1 Draw