The 2025/26 Bundesliga season has arrived, and with it comes the usual questions. After Bayern Munich reclaimed the top spot last season with 82 points and an unmatched goal difference, supporters are watching closely to see if they’ll continue that form. Bayer Leverkusen finished second and held their own throughout the season. Dortmund, once again close but not close enough, ended fourth behind Frankfurt.
The storylines fans are following are familiar—can Bayern stay on top, will Leverkusen keep pushing, and is this finally Dortmund’s time? This article focuses on what the supporters themselves expect, based not on analytics or predictions, but on genuine fan sentiment leading into the new campaign.
Fan Expectations: A Divided Field
On fan forums, in comment threads, and across football-focused platforms, the range of opinions heading into the 2025/26 Bundesliga season is broad and often club-specific. Bayern supporters are split where many believe their side will repeat last season’s dominance after topping the table by a wide margin.
Others are more cautious, pointing to the early difficulty of their fixture list and the pressure of sustaining such a high level. Some mention that despite new signings, Bayern could be tested more than usual if they don’t start strong. Leverkusen fans continue to back their side confidently. They’re encouraged not only by the second-place finish last year but also by the memory of the unbeaten run from the season before.
Many believe the structure built under Xabi Alonso still gives them an edge, and the club’s overall consistency has made them a serious talking point across neutral discussions as well. Overall, the divide in fan expectations comes from real history, as each club’s habits, strengths, and struggles reflects how deeply form and past results shape what supporters see as possible.
Comparing Fan Sentiment with the Real Odds
Supporters and prediction markets appear to be mostly aligned ahead of the new season. Bayern Munich is still widely seen as the top contender, both in fan discussions and in projected odds. Many fans are calling this season wide open, especially after Leverkusen’s strong campaigns and Dortmund’s ability to turn up in key matches when it matters most.
The general feeling is that the title race could be tighter than usual. Across fan forums and match previews, there’s a sense that no team will be able to cruise through the season without setbacks.
This uncertainty is also reflected in how the betting odds are moving. On online betting sites, users can follow the soccer odds for upcoming Bundesliga matches to get a clearer sense of where the expectations are shifting in real time—not just for the title race but for key individual fixtures as well.
As results roll in, strong performances from clubs like Leverkusen or Dortmund could close the gap. Meanwhile, any early slip from Bayern might narrow the margins even further, keeping the title race unpredictable for weeks to come.
Bayern Munich: Business as Usual or Signs of Vulnerability?
Bayern ended the 2024/25 season with the most goals and fewest losses. That alone has many of their fans convinced the team will continue to dominate. New arrivals like Luis Díaz and Michael Olise have added more depth, which many see as reinforcement rather than overhaul. But there’s quiet concern over their early fixtures.
Bayern will face strong opponents in the first few weeks, including Frankfurt, Dortmund, Gladbach, and Leverkusen. If they slip in any of those matches, some of that early fan confidence could weaken. On the other hand, if Bayern win those games with the control they showed last season, it may already feel like the title race is theirs to lose once again.
Bayer Leverkusen: Real Belief or Just a One‑Season Wonder?
Leverkusen’s supporters are still holding on to belief, but the mood has slightly shifted compared to previous seasons. After finishing second in 2024/25, just behind Bayern, there’s still a sense that the club is in a strong position. However, the departure of Xabi Alonso has left a gap that fans are watching closely.
While the core of the squad remains mostly intact, changes in leadership often bring uncertainty, especially when a manager was such a central figure in the club’s rise. There’s cautious optimism that the new coach will maintain the structure and stability Alonso built, but fans are aware that early results will shape how seriously Leverkusen are seen this season.
Borussia Dortmund: Perennial Hope, Perpetual Frustration?
Dortmund fans are used to starting seasons with hope and ending them with frustration. Last year, they were in the mix but couldn’t hold on during the run-in, finishing fourth. However, they did manage a strong result in one of their final games by beating Leverkusen 4-2, which kept their Champions League chances alive at the time.
There’s cautious optimism this season, especially with their October 4 fixture against Leipzig. A result in that match could shift expectations, showing whether they’re ready to be more than just hopeful again. Personnel changes and tactical tweaks give the club a slightly different look this season, but supporters will need more than flashes of good form to fully believe.
Dark Horses: Leipzig, Stuttgart, Frankfurt — Any Real Threats?
Outside of the top three, there’s some quiet support building for Frankfurt and Leipzig. Frankfurt finished third last season with 60 points, showing they can match the big teams over a full campaign. They’ll face Bayern on October 4, and that match could either raise or lower expectations depending on the result.
Leipzig, not balancing European duties this season, could turn their full attention to the league. Their match against Dortmund on the same day will offer insight into how ready they are to challenge for a top-three finish or more. While Stuttgart has been mentioned here and there, the real fan attention is staying on Frankfurt and Leipzig to stir things up.
Conclusion: Emotion vs. Evidence
There’s no clear agreement among fans right now. Some think Bayern will hold their place with ease, others point to Leverkusen’s steady progress, and Dortmund still has backers who believe a breakthrough is coming. Clubs like Frankfurt and Leipzig have a smaller but growing share of support as well.
What’s certain is that the 2024/25 season gave everyone something to believe in for the new, upcoming season. Early fixtures between these teams will set the pace, and both fan opinion and odds will shift in real time based on the results. The emotion may vary, but the evidence will come soon enough.
