Contenders seemingly even in their standings, aren't they?
In the upcoming 2025/26 season, several German clubs are gearing up for a fierce battle to secure a spot in the Bundesliga. Among the contenders are Hertha BSC, Fortuna Düsseldorf, VfL Bochum, and Hannover 96, with 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Hamburger SV also emerging as strong candidates for promotion.
Fortuna Düsseldorf, under the guidance of sports director Klaus Allofs, has set its sights on promotion. The club has bolstered its defense with the signing of Christopher Lenz from Eintracht Frankfurt and retained the services of German U21 national team player Jannik Siebert. Moreover, the arrival of Christian Rasmussen from Ajax Amsterdam and Anouar El Azzouzi from PEC Zwolle is expected to boost the team's offense.
Hertha BSC, under the leadership of new coach Stefan Leitl, aims to lead the team back to the Bundesliga. The club has retained star player Fabian Reese, who scored 11 goals in 18 games last season. David Kownacki, a Polish striker who was involved in 18 goals while on loan at Fortuna Düsseldorf last year, has also joined the team. Maurice Krattenmacher, on loan from Bayern Munich, could start behind the two strikers for Hertha BSC.
VfL Bochum, under the guidance of Dieter Hecking, a coach with 626 games of experience in the first and second division, is another team to watch. The club has strengthened its midfield with the signings of Ibrahima Sissoko, who brings goal-scoring experience from the French second division, and Kevin Vogt from Union Berlin. Philipp Hofmann, a veteran striker who has scored 76 goals in the second division for VfL Bochum, will continue to lead the team's offense.
Hannover 96, under the leadership of new coach Christian Titz, known for playing boldly and focusing on offense, has signed 16 new players to strengthen their squad. The team has also seen several departures, including Marcel Halstenberg, Phil Neumann, Ron-Robert Zieler, and Nicolo Tresoldi.
- FC Kaiserslautern and Hamburger SV, recently promoted, are also in the running for a spot in the Bundesliga. 1. FC Kaiserslautern is described as a "promotion hopeful" with a competitive squad, while Hamburger SV aims for Bundesliga stability and relies on team stability and adapting quickly to Bundesliga demands.
Meanwhile, teams like 1. FC Heidenheim seem more focused on avoiding relegation rather than promotion this season.
The mentions of Bundesliga favorites such as Werder Bremen, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Wolfsburg, and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim related to Bundesliga title betting rather than promotion candidates, suggesting they may already be in the top division or are not among the primary promotion contenders for this season.
As the season approaches, these teams will face off in a series of exciting matches, with Hannover 96 and 1. FC Kaiserslautern clashing at the start of the season, with Hannover 96 having strong optimism due to their new coach and transfer activity. The race for the Bundesliga is sure to be a thrilling one, with each team bringing their unique strengths and strategies to the table.
Fortuna Düsseldorf, with its new signings and retained players, is hoping to use its strong offense to secure promotion to the Bundesliga.
Hertha BSC, with the addition of new coach Stefan Leitl and striker David Kownacki, aims to regain a spot in the Bundesliga using a focus on offense.
