2020 Bundesliga Opening Odds: Bayern Munich Open as Heavy Favorites to Retain Title

• Bayern odds-on to win 2020 Bundesliga
• Dortmund already busy in summer transfer window
• Leipzig and Leverkusen playing catch up

Having just won their seventh consecutive Bundesliga title, it’s no surprise that Bayern Munich has been immediately installed as odds-on favorites to do the same again in 2020. We’ll have a look to see if there is any chance of them slipping up and if there’s any value to be had elsewhere.

2020 Bundesliga Odds

*Odds taken June 5, 2019. 

For the Bavarians to be pitched with -350 Bundesliga odds before a ball has even been kicked appears ridiculous. But such has been Bayern’s grip on German football, that it really is difficult to see how the others can bridge the quality gap.

Much, as ever, will depend on what happens over the summer and how successful they are in strengthening their squad ahead of the start of next season. But with a host of ex-players, including Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, pulling the strings behind the scenes, it’s a good bet they will start it stronger than they finished the last.

New Faces?

One player who looks certain to be departing Munich is James Rodriguez, who has completed a two-year loan spell from Real Madrid. The Germans have announced they will not be signing him on a permanent deal after a stop-start two years that never really hit the heights that they had hoped.

OFFICIAL: Bayern Munich have confirmed James Rodriguez has left the club following the end of his two-year loan deal. pic.twitter.com/vwBUUp8cAR

— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) June 5, 2019

Possibly heading in the opposite direction is Atletico Madrid’s 22-year-old defensive midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez, who is being courted by both Bayern and Manchester City.

FC Bayern have already made an offer to sign Atletico Madrid's midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez.

[Sport Bild] pic.twitter.com/Gt4nzhofD6

— Ehson (@Bayern_mania) May 28, 2019

Another player in Bayern’s sights is Bayer Leverkusen’s young midfielder Kai Havertz, who has reportedly been the subject of an opening €90 million bid. The sum involved shows that they mean business in the summer window, and this is only the start.

Bayern’s dominance in the Bundesliga has been such that winning it alone isn’t enough anymore. The club needs to also go a long way in next season’s Champions League and much of this summer’s rebuilding will be done with that in mind.

Dortmund in a Hurry

Equally, Bayern’s closest rivals, Borussia Dortmund, will also be looking to strengthen, specifically with a view to closing the gap with the champions, and already three new faces are through the door.

? January:
? Dortmund sold Christian Pulisic to Chelsea for €64m.

? This week:
? Dortmund sign Nico Schulz, Thorgan Hazard and Julian Brandt for a combined €77m

That's how you run a football club. ? pic.twitter.com/IWy2kZbYVb

— Football Tweet (@Football__Tweet) May 22, 2019

First in was German international Nico Schulz from TSG Hoffenheim, with the 26-year-old left back signing a five-year contract with a fee reported to be around the €27 million mark. Next up was the arrival of Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Thorgan Hazard – brother of Eden – on another five-year deal, with the fee believed to be around €25.5 million.

For the Bavarians to be pitched at -350 before a ball has even been kicked appears ridiculous, but such has been Bayern’s grip on German football

A trio of new Dortmund signings was complete when, on the same day Hazard was announced, Julian Brandt arrived from Bayer Leverkusen – the 23-year-old winger joining for a reported €25 million.

Player: Julian Brandt ??
Previous Club: Bayer Leverkusen
New Club: Borussia Dortmund
Fee: €25M
Position: Left Winger / Attacking Mid.
Age: 23 pic.twitter.com/6LC2TWBPcJ

— DoneDeals (@officialdealstr) June 1, 2019

So, Dortmund means business and there will undoubtedly be more new faces before the season begins. A couple more ‘names’ and it really starts to look as if they can challenge Bayern.

Best of the Rest

The only other two teams who really look capable of getting close to Bayern are RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen, but both have a big points gap to close and it’s hard to see, especially with neither having the financial clout of the top two.

So, while Bayern will clearly start the season with a stronger squad, we do wonder if their clear desire to get to the final stages of the Champions League may see them take their eye off the ball in the Bundesliga.

Therefore, we’re going bold here and are going to say we think Dortmund will have what it takes to win it in 2020.