Bundesliga season predictions

The Bundesliga's 48th season kicks off on Friday night, when defending champion Bayern Munich meets 2008-09 winner VfL Wolfsburg, now coached by Steve McClaren. Here is a (moderately) educated guess as to how the 18 teams might finish -- subject to some last-minute wheeling and dealing, naturally:

1. Bayern Munich

Last year's finish: 1st

Key additions: Toni Kroos, Breno

Key losses: None

It's neither original nor particularly daring to tip Bayern for the title, but it's usually right: The German heavyweight has won 17 of the last 30 championships. Unusual restraint in the transfer market -- playmaker Kroos and Brazilian defender Breno are not new recruits but loan returnees -- will not reduce the dominance of Louis van Gaal's side. The Bavarians have easily the best squad in the league, some weakness in defense notwithstanding.

2. Bayer Leverkusen

Last year's finish: 4th

Key additions: Michael Ballack, Domagoj Vida

Key losses: Toni Kroos

A lack of experience and staying power cost Leverkusen dearly in the last two seasons. Ballack, out to prove a point after losing the Germany captaincy, and a bunch of promising recruits like Croatian U21-defender Vida should address these deficiencies. Manager Jupp Heynckes has an array of attacking options, including international striker Patrick Helmes, who will significantly boost Bayer's goal tally after missing most of last season with a serious knee injury. This is probably the best Bayer team since 2002, when it advanced to the Champions League final.

3. Hamburger SV

Last year's finish: 6th

Key additions: Heiko Westermann, Gojko Kacar, Jaroslav Drobny

Key losses: Jerome Boateng, Marcus Berg

"Die Rothosen" (The Red Trousers) were frustrated in their attempts to sign Ibrahim Afellay (PSV), cashed in on Boateng and might yet lose exciting Dutch winger Eljero Elia to Juventus. There are also doubts about manager Armin Veh's ability to make one of the league's most difficult set of characters perform as a unit. In terms of individual talent, however, Hamburg has more quality than its rivals for a Champions League spot; defender Westermann and midfielder Kacar, in particular, are great buys. A lack of European action will further benefit the team and should reduce the amount of injuries.

4. Werder Bremen

Last year's finish: 3rd

Key additions: Marko Arnautovic

Key losses: Mesut Özil

Bremen needs to secure either Wesley (Santos) or Hatem Ben Arfa (Marseille) to make up for the loss of Özil. On its day, Thomas Schaaf's team is devastating going forward but it's also too open at the back to realistically challenge for the title. Arnautovic, described as "Zlatan Ibrahimovic Mark II" by the German press, has lived up to only the negative half of his reputation so far. The Austrian's poor attitude threatens to upset the cozy Werder togetherness.

5. Borussia Dortmund

Last year's finish: 5th

Key additions: Shinji Kagawa, Robert Lewandowski

Key losses: Tinga, Nelson Valdez

Manager Jürgen Klopp has had a productive offseason. Japanese World Cup midfielder Kagawa looks like a very shrewd buy and Valdez a clever sale. Borussia will pick up plenty of points with its high-energy pressing football and try to add more possession to the mix. But an inability to break down deep-lying opponents will make further progress difficult. Klopp, wary of a tough opening schedule, will settle for another finish in the top five.

6. VfL Wolfsburg

Last year's finish: 8th

Key additions: Arne Friedrich, Simon Kjaer, Mario Mandzukic, Cicero

Key losses: Obafemi Martins, Christian Gentner

The capture of highly rated Danish defender Kjaer struck a blow for the whole Bundesliga. Securing Friedrich, Germany's unlikeliest World Cup hero, should also prove good business for McClaren. If the Volkswagen-owned club were to sign Brazilian playmaker Diego from Juventus as well, it'd really be in a position to challenge for third spot. But there is a fear that the club might yet lose Edin Dzeko, and the Bosnian striker is said to be unhappy with McClaren's new 4-2-3-1-system.

7. Schalke 04

Last year's finish: 2nd

Key additions: Raúl, Christoph Metzelder, Sergio Escudero

Key losses: Marcelo Bordon, Rafinha, Kevin Kuranyi, Gerald Asamoah

An implausible run to second spot in Felix Magath's first season in charge in charge will be almost impossible to emulate. Schalke, like many past Bundesliga teams, will find it hard to adjust to the dual demands of the Champions League and domestic football. The arrival of Real Madrid icon Raúl has galvanized the Royal Blues' supporters, but wholesale changes at the back have left Magath three or four players short of a genuine top team. Trading in Heiko Westermann for the injury-prone Christoph Metzelder looks like one high-profile deal that might not work out.

8. VfB Stuttgart

Last year's finish: 6th

Key additions: Johan Audel, Philipp Degen

Key losses: Jens Lehmann, Aleksandar Hleb, Sami Khedira, Roberto Hilbert

The Swabians tend to start poorly and finish strongly. Manager Christian Gross needs to bring more stability to the team but can't expect too much of his new recruits. New sporting director Fredi Bobic, a former Stuttgart striker, has struggled to add significant quality so far. Khedira's class and the madcap excellence of keeper Lehmann will be sorely missed.

9. TSG Hoffenheim

Last year's finish: 11th

Key additions: Tom Starke, Peniel Mlapa

Key losses: Timo Hildebrand, Per Nilsson, Maicosuel, Wellington

Hoffenheim was hampered by arguments between manager Ralf Rangnick and general manager Jan Schindelmeiser last season. Key staff members were replaced after Schindelmeiser's departure, but Rangnick managed to keep his most important players from defecting. A fully functioning Vedad Ibisevic is expected to find his feet again after a season in post-injury wilderness. But it'll be interesting to see whether the club's billionaire benefactor, Dietmar Hopp, will be content with mid-table respectability.

10. Eintracht Frankfurt

Last year's finish: 10th

Key additions: Theofanis Gekas, Georgios Tzavellas, Habib Bellaid

Key losses: Christoph Spycher

With the ambitious Michael Skibbe in charge, Frankfurt has made significant progress. A preseason win over Chelsea has excited the supporters, who are also happy that the club has invested intelligently. Skibbe has added depth to the squad and is on course for another comfortable finish. Eintracht will never be the most exciting team to watch but is highly organized and adept tactically. The return of Greek striker Ioannis Amanatidis, who was out with a knee injury for most of the last campaign, is a massive bonus.