Brilliant Bundesliga bets as champions Bayern raise curtain

As for potential top four gatecrashers, Borussia Monchengladbach (11/10 to finish in a Champions League spot) boast a young but talented side who should only keep improving, while Schalke, sans Roberto Di Matteo, have crucially retained Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, giving them excellent odds of 2/1.

Outsiders Augsburg (20/1 to storm the spots) should also not be discounted, having come within touching distance of a surprise fourth place finish last time out.

Meanwhile, here are three opening fixtures worth keeping an eye on…

Bayern v Hamburg
Everyone expects another humbling of Hamburg, who were cannon fodder last time these two met, succumbing to an emphatic 8-0 demolition, with Munich 16/5 to score five or more again.

Certainly, Der Dino (7/1 to draw) must improve after flirting with a first-ever top flight relegation, but have not beaten Bayern in their past 13 tussles.

Promising now permanent reinforcement Lewis Holtby, once of Tottenham, is 13/2 to strike first, while Pierre Michel Lasogga is 4/1 in the same market to return to his lethal ways.

The best bets obviously surround Bayern scorers, however, as Mario Gotze (10/3 to strike first) has hit three in his last two Allianz outings against Hamburg, while Thomas Muller bagged a brace in the previous rout and is 3/1 to equal or better that again.

Dortmund v Monchengladbach
This tussle should be intriguing as the Foals (7/2 to win) have made some fantastic movements in the market, while Dortmund (7/10), hoping to put a disastrous season behind them, have stood mostly still, opting for continuity instead.

Customers can back new Monchengladbach dangerman Josip Drmic at 15/2 to draw first blood, while Thorgan Hazard, captured permanently from Chelsea, is a terrific 10/1 to have the final say. Alternatively, punters can plump for known quantities Marco Reus and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (both 11/8 to strike anytime) to show their quality.

Bayer Leverkusen v Hoffenheim
Regular also-rans and nearly men Leverkusen and Hoffenheim also have the chance to lay down a marker in their opener, though Bayer have had the best of recent battles.

The hosts boast a trio of top attacking talents in South Korea sharpshooter Son Heung-Min (4/1 to notch first), German goal threat Stefan Kiessling (7/2 to net last) and crafty Karim Bellarabi (a 6/4 shout to score anytime), while the visitors can offer dangerous duo Kevin Kuranyi and Kevin Volland (both 5/2).