The Bundesliga is one of the most entertaining and exciting domestic leagues in the world, and with it getting underway this week, fans all around the world will be extremely pleased. The German league has some of the best and most enthralling teams in the world and they have some of the best players on the planet, and like every season, there will be a lot to talk about, discuss and debate as the 2017-18 campaign develops.

One topic that will probably not be discussed too much is where the title will go. Bayern Munich have won the Bundesliga for the past five seasons, and there are no signs that their domination is going to end anytime soon. Carlo Ancelotti’s side have the best players in Germany and, during the summer transfer window, they have strengthened their squad. Defender Philipp Lahm and midfielder Xabi Alonso have retired and winger Douglas Costa has left for Juventus, but central defender Niklas Sule and attacking midfielder James Rodriguez have arrived.

Rodriguez, who can also operate as a winger, could be a particularly inspired signing. Given the way Colombia are playing in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL), they should qualify for the finals in Russia, in which they are rated at 33/1 to win according to the latest international football betting odds, and Rodriguez will certainly want to head into the tournament in top form. There are talks of Alexis Sanchez joining from Arsenal, and if the Chile international forward makes the switch to the Allianz Arena, then it will just about seal Bayern’s sixth successive league title.

However, given the scare that RB Leipzig gave Bayern in the opening half of last season, perhaps one should not get complacent about the Bavarian giants steamrolling their way in Germany. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side played some good football last season, and they could once again be the main challengers to Carlo Ancelotti’s team. If Die Bullen are able to keep hold of star midfielder Naby Keita, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool in the summer transfer window, and winger Oliver Burke steps up his game, then they could go even closer this season.

Borussia Dortmund will be the other main challengers to Bayern for the Bundesliga title during the 2017-17 campaign. BVB finished a disappointing third last season and have a new head coach in charge, Peter Bosz, but they do have the talent and the quality to give Ancelotti’s side a run for their money. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is one of the best and most prolific strikers in the world, and the 28-year-old Gabon international will once again be a key player for Dortmund.

Ousmane Dembele was stunning for Dortmund last season, and the Westfalenstadion faithful will expect the 20-year-old forward to take his game to the next level during the 2017-18 campaign. Then, there are Mario Gotze, Nuri Sahin, Marco Res and Shinji Kagawa. Although it is hard to see Bayern lose their stronghold of the Bundesliga title, if Dortmund play well consistently, then they could give the Bavarian giants a run for their money.