So, who is going to challenge Bayern Munich in the German top flight this year? Borussia Dortmund or RB Leipzig maybe? And what about Bayer Leverkusen, the last club to take the title away from Bavaria?
Past evidence would suggest that Die Werkself may not be ready to launch another serious challenge. The 2026 Bundesliga table looked pretty miserable for the 2024 champions with a sixth-place finish, well below expectations, and the SBOTOP Bundesliga 2026 betting odds pitch Leverkusen as fourth favourites behind Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig.
But they have a new manager and still have some of the players who worked out how to loosen Bayern’s vice-like grip on the title just two seasons ago, so let’s not rule them out before a ball is kicked.
Is Novell the man to bring stability?
Since Xabi Alonso led the club to an historic Bundesliga title in 2024, all has not been well at the BayArena, and much of the following campaign rumours around the head coach’s future overshadowed matters on the pitch, and Bayern Munich took advantage by snatching back the title.
At the end of the season, Alonso, as expected, departed for Real Madrid, where he found life harder as it turned out, and was replaced by former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, who lasted just two games before he was sacked and in walked Kasper Hjulmand, who left at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
The Leverkusen board moved quickly and appointed Carles Martinez Novell, the highly-rated Toulouse boss. The 42-year-old Spaniard had a good reputation with the Ligue 1 side, leading them to Europa League football. But he signalled his intention to move on in April, with his arrival announced at Bayer Leverkusen as soon as 6th June, with a contract taking him to June 2028. He picks up a side which has been used to playing in the Champions League in recent years, but it’s Europa football for now, and Novell will set his sights higher.
Leverkusen reached the semi-final of the DFB-Pokal and the knockout phase of the Champions League last term, so it wasn’t an entire washout of a season, more of a “nearly” campaign which just fell short on all fronts. Novell is at the club to provide some stability, but progress must be on his agenda too.
Bayer’s squad is competitive
Skippered by defensive lynchpin Robert Andrich, this is a team which knows its way around the Bundesliga and Europe. Andrich, now 31, has picked up 19 caps for Germany over the past three years and has been a stalwart of Die Werkself over five years in its most successful period. With 14 goals in 138 games, Andrich can play in the defence or as a deep-lying midfielder, where he is a powerful influence in both penalty areas, strong at the back, and a real threat from set pieces in attack.
La Roja star Aleix Garcia is the focal point in midfield, dictating the pace of play, breaking up opposition attacks, and moving the ball quickly in attack, a style of play he learned as a Manchester City Academy player under Pep Guardiola.
And there were plenty of players at the World Cup over the past five weeks who have just returned to training. Czech striker Patrick Schick had a curtailed competition after his nation bowed out at the group stage, while Malik Tillman starred for the USA and he remains one of Leverkusen’s most exciting creative players. England wing-back Jarell Quansah is growing in experience, and he will have learned from the red card he received during the Three Lions’ thrilling 3-2 win over hosts Mexico.
Novell will be looking for more from striker Victor Boniface while ex-Burnley winger Nathan Tella has become a more than useful addition to the creative unit. In transfer news, star winger Alejandro Grimaldo has gone to Atletico Madrid, with the biggest incoming being wide man Afonso Moreira, who has arrived in a €32 million deal from Ligue 1 club Lyon.
When you look at the array of stars available to Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, and Borussia Dortmund, I’d say at the moment, Novell needs to make sure the team exceeds the individual parts. But they made progress as the season went on last term, and if they make a fast start, then the confidence will flow.
The new manager has a big few weeks ahead in the transfer market and then on the pitch, where he needs to pick up those Bundesliga 2026 results, and that will make the neutrals sit up and take notice.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
