Capital club head for first season in top flight
Struggle predicted for fellow promoted team
Augbsurg may not escape this time around
Germany’s Bundesliga will feature a new name this season with Union Berlin arriving for its first-ever campaign in the top flight after 53 years in existence.
Bundesliga 2018-19 Relegation Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Paderborn | -190 |
| Union Berlin | -180 |
| Augsburg | +190 |
| FC Koln | +225 |
| SC Freiburg | +250 |
| Fortuna Dusseldorf | +450 |
| FSV Mainz | +575 |
| Hertha Berlin | +2000 |
| Schalke 04 | +2500 |
| Werder Bremen | +4000 |
*Odds taken at 2019/08/13
However, the analysts give neither the newcomers from the capital nor fellow-promoted side Paderborn much hope of remaining in the elite division.
Paderborn are rated as favorites for an instant return to 2. Bundesliga at -190, closely followed by Union Berlin at -180.
Augbsburg, who narrowly escaped relegation last season, are also tipped for the drop at +190.
FC Koln Tipped to Survive
But FC Koln, champions of 2. Bundesliga last season, are priced to closely miss the cut and survive at +225.
Paderborn spent one season in the Bundesliga in 2014-15 but were relegated instantly – actually falling into 3. Bundesliga in 2017-18 before their remarkable climb back to the top
They were promoted automatically as runners-up to Koln last May.
The strengthening of Union’s squad is more comprehensive than that carried out by Paderborn.
But in their first season at the top level, they are expected to be battling with bigger, more historic clubs like Koln, Fortuna Dusseldorf and Mainz against relegation as well as with Freiburg and, potentially, city rivals Hertha Berlin.
Augsburg finished 15th last season but are not favored to survive again.
Nine Bundesliga Seasons
They are in their ninth successive season of Bundesliga football.
Manager Manuel Baum paid with his job as they struggled last season but successor Martin Schmidt managed to stave off the drop.
However, they were hampered by the injury problems of Icelandic striker Alfred Finnbogasson. He missed 16 games of the league campaign but is fit again.
At the back, the Czech international duo, goalkeeper Tomas Koubek and centre-back Marek Suchy, have been recruited to strengthen a defense which conceded 71 goals last season.
FC Koln were promoted back to the Bundesliga at the first attempt after relegation in 2017-18.
Striker Simon Terrode scored 29 league goals last season and is one reason Koln are tipped to keep out of the relegation places.
Dutch full-back Kingsley Ehizibue, defender Sebastiaan Bornauw and midfielders Ellyes Skhiri and Birger Verstraete were signed in the close season as part of the defensive re-building for the return to the top division.
Best Bets to be relegated: Paderborn, Union Berlin, Augsburg