An unprecedentedly close battle for the Bundesliga title. Who will rejoice in the end?

The top German football league is unusually balanced this season. After eighteen matches, the difference between the first and the sixth team in the table is only five points. Will Bayern be happy again at the end of the season?

6. place – Eintracht Frankfurt, 32 points

What speaks for: The team under the leadership of the excellent coach Oliver Glasner did not lose any big stars in the winter. It is able to overwhelm its opponents with its fast, direct play and, moreover, in Europe it is showing how difficult it is to get into their compact defensive position.

What he speaks against: The very fact that Frankfurt will still be playing European cups in the spring may make it difficult for Eintracht to fight for the title. In addition, the team has been in very fluctuating form in the last two seasons.

5. freiburg, 34 points

What they’re in favour of: The club has managed very sensibly in the long term, continuity is very important. Coach Streich has been in his post for over ten years. Moreover, there is absolutely no pressure on Freiburg, they can only surprise.

What speaks against: This is a team of honest hard workers that lacks a difference player. Freiburg also don’t have a standout cannonballer, and they have the least goals scored of the six title contenders.

4. borussia Dortmund, 34 points

What they speak for: A mix of talented youth and experienced routiners, a great atmosphere in the stadium and a strong desire to be the one to break Bayern’s long title streak. Terzic and co. will certainly do their best to do so.

What speaks against: Sometimes Dortmund seem to lack a leader to encourage and kick-start the team when things aren’t going well. Borussia sometimes look reckless on the pitch, sometimes needlessly losing points that may be missing at the end.

3. place – RB Leipzig, 35 points

What speaks for: The fresh wind that coach Marco Rose has brought to Leipzig, the good form of the offensive players, among whom Nkunku in particular stands out, the retention of Guardiola and the steady line-up.

What he speaks against: Leipzig will also play the European Cups in the spring, so we will see how they combine this with the Bundesliga. Injuries need to be avoided and Tim Werner needs to start.

2. the team should be in a good place – Union Berlin, 36 points

What they’re talking about: Union don’t play under any pressure, the team has been together for a long time, they are composed, they have a clear game plan, they play in front of a great crowd at home, they are strong from standard and through the air, they can win even close games.

What they are against: Also, Union will be playing European cups in the spring. Due to the tough game, the team may run out of breath and a smaller or bigger result crisis may come, but coach Fischer and his team will surely do everything to prevent that from happening.

1. place – Bayern Munich, 37 points

What they’re in favour of: Bayern still have the best squad in the competition, when they spin a carousel of offensive combinations, few defences can resist. In addition, the atmosphere at the club is such that everyone is always going 100 per cent.

What’s against: It will depend on whether coach Nagelsmann can transfer this setup to his charges. After Lewandowski’s departure, the typical killer is missing, the defence is sometimes vulnerable during the opponents’ fast breaks.

Sources: Kicker, Bundesliga Instagram