Exciting day for fans of German football today. The reigning champions Bayern Munich will kick-start the 58th Bundesliga season taking on Schalke 04 at the Allianz Arena this Friday. The Bavarians clinched their eighth consecutive Bundesliga title last season which also was their 30th in club’s history. Their closest rivals in the most recent seasons Borussia Dortmund will be expected to narrow the gap to the top after finishing 13 points behind the current champions. On Tuesday, the German authorities announced that the fans will be able to return to stadiums as soon as this weekend. The clubs will be allowed to fill 20% of their stadiums’ capacity for the next six weeks with Allianz Arena being the first one to welcome supporters since March. Bayern Munich to Win Their Ninth Consecutive Bundesliga Title? Bayern finished the 2019/20 Bundesliga campaign in a relentless fashion, winning all nine matches and scoring 27 goals post-lockdown. Despite the progress made by other teams in recent years, Hansi Flick’s side is undoubtedly the clear favourite to win it for the ninth time in a row. The only real concern might be associated with the departure of some key players. By the time of writing, Bayern have confirmed that their midfield maestro Thiago Alcantara has agreed personal terms with Liverpool and will be leaving the Bavarian capital. Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are the teams most likely to challenge Bayern for the title again. Both clubs were in a fighting distance before the lockdown last season, but their poor post-lockdown form allowed Bayern to run away with the title. Leipzig’s loss of Timo Werner to Chelsea will be a massive blow for Julian Nagelsman after the German netted 28 times last season. In contrast, Dortmund, at least for now, have managed to keep their star forward Jadon Sancho at the club with another English addition in Jude Bellingham. The newcomers Arminia Bielefeld and VfB Stuttgart like all newly promoted teams will certainly focus only on one task – to stay in the Bundesliga. Stuttgart are back after a year’s absence while Arminia’s last appearance in the German top-flight was back in 2008/09 season. British Players in Bundesliga Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund/Winger) It will be Sancho’s fourth season in the German top-flight. The Englishman has had a stellar career in the Bundesliga so far, having scored 30 goals and made 34 assists in 78 appearances. Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund/Centre-midfielder) Jude Bellingham is the most recent English addition to the Bundesliga. The 17-year-old central midfielder was signed for £20 million from Birmingham City on a five-year deal. Ademola Lookman (RB Leipzig/Winger) After signing a permanent deal in the summer of 2019, this will be Ademola Lookman’s third season in the German top division. So far, he has made 22 appearances and scored five goals for Leipzig. Keanan Bennetts (Borussia Monchengladbach/Winger) Keanan Bennets so far has made only a single appearance for Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga despite signing for them in the summer of 2018. The Englishman suffered a hamstring injury which ruled him out for the majority of last campaign. Rabbi Matondo (Schalke 04/Winger) Rabbi Matondo is a Welsh winger who followed the steps of Sancho. He left Manchester City in January 2019 and has scored two goals in 20 Bundesliga matches for Schalke. Reece Oxford (Augsburg/Centre-back) The English centre-back is ready to start his fourth season in the Bundesliga this weekend after signing a four-year contract with Augsburg. The London-born defender had three loan spells up to this point – two at Borussia Monchengladbach and one at his current club Augsburg. Clinton Mola (VfB Stuttgart/Left-back) The last and perhaps least known British player to grace the Bundesliga pitch this season will be Clinton Mola. The 19-year-old left-back was signed by VfB Stuttgart from Chelsea last January and will be hoping to make his first appearance in the German top-flight this weekend. Watch Bundesliga Football Live on TV and Live Stream in UK The live stream for all 2020/21 season Bundesliga matches can be found here. BT Sport is the official broadcaster of the Bundesliga in the UK. Bundesliga Live Football on TV This Weekend Free of charge Bundesliga live streams are available here Friday 18th September (All UK times) Bayern Munchen – Schalke 04 (7:30 pm/BT Sport 1 HD) Saturday 19th September (All UK times) Eintracht Frankfurt – Arminia Bielefeld (2:30 pm) Union Berlin – Augsburg (2:30 pm/ESPN HD) Koln – Hoffenheim (2:30 pm) Werder Bremen – Hertha BSC (2:30 pm) Stuttgart – Freiburg (2:30 pm) Borussia Dortmund – Borussia Monchengladbach (5:30 pm/BT Sport 1 HD) Sunday 20th September (All UK times) RB Leipzig - Mainz 05 (2:30 pm/BT Sport 1 HD) Wolfsburg – Bayer Leverkusen (5 pm/BT Sport 1 HD)
