Predicting the Final Table for the 2015-16 Bundesliga Season

18. Darmstadt

As the video states, it is a fairy tale that Darmstadt are in the top flight. Dirk Schuster has orchestrated quite the rise for his team. In March 2008, the team entered insolvency and worked to avoid bankruptcy after the season. In the 2013-14 season they, secured promotion to 2. Bundesliga through the playoffs and it took them just one year to reach the top flight. Many of the players will be unknown and they will find tough sledding in the Bundesliga.

17. Hertha BSC

John Brooks of the USMNT returned to Hertha Berlin last week and could be fighting for a starting spot again. Hertha were above the relegation zone last season on goal difference alone. They added Mitchell Weiser from Bayern Munich to provide versatility on the right side. However, John Heitinga left for Ajax leaving the center back pairing uncertain. The team will likely struggle on defense and continue to trend down the table.

17. Hertha BSC

John Brooks of the USMNT returned to Hertha Berlin last week and could be fighting for a starting spot again. Hertha were above the relegation zone last season on goal difference alone. They added Mitchell Weiser from Bayern Munich to provide versatility on the right side. However, John Heitinga left for Ajax leaving the center back pairing uncertain. The team will likely struggle on defense and continue to trend down the table.

16. Hannover 96

Hannover has undergone a face lift this summer. There are 12 players from last season that are no longer on their books. Defender Oliver Sorg is the big addition to the team. They also promoted two players from their youth teams to help fill out their roster. The core of forwards is completely changed bringing a lot of unknown. Hannover required back-to-back wins in the final two matches of last season to avoid relegation giving coach Michael Frontzeck another chance. However, there is just too much change to allow for a rebound year.

16. Hannover 96

Hannover has undergone a face lift this summer. There are 12 players from last season that are no longer on their books. Defender Oliver Sorg is the big addition to the team. They also promoted two players from their youth teams to help fill out their roster. The core of forwards is completely changed bringing a lot of unknown. Hannover required back-to-back wins in the final two matches of last season to avoid relegation giving coach Michael Frontzeck another chance. However, there is just too much change to allow for a rebound year.

15. Hamburger SV

Hamburg remains the only original Bundesliga team to avoid relegation after squeezing through the playoff in May. Coach Bruno Labbadia will try to put his stamp on the team and avoid relegation drama. Lewis Holtby's loan was made permanent and Bosnian international Emir Spahic will bring experience. However, there is no clear leader and a complete overhaul on defense. They team seems to know how to survive at the last minute, but it should still be a struggle.

14. FC Köln

FC Köln was the best finisher of the teams that were promoted to the Bundesliga in the 2014-15 season. They have also seen a transformation of their roster with 13 players leaving in some form or fashion. They have done well to make up for any losses in their stout defense during the summer transfer window, but also added some goal scorers. Anthony Modeste and Milos Jojic should contribute offensively. However, the losses of Anthony Ujah and Kevin Wimmer will be noticeable. Ujah was the most prolific scorer last year on a team that scored the fewest goals of any team outside the bottom three.

14. FC Köln

FC Köln was the best finisher of the teams that were promoted to the Bundesliga in the 2014-15 season. They have also seen a transformation of their roster with 13 players leaving in some form or fashion. They have done well to make up for any losses in their stout defense during the summer transfer window, but also added some goal scorers. Anthony Modeste and Milos Jojic should contribute offensively. However, the losses of Anthony Ujah and Kevin Wimmer will be noticeable. Ujah was the most prolific scorer last year on a team that scored the fewest goals of any team outside the bottom three.

13. FC Ingolstadt

The Bavarian club secured the second division title with one game to go last season. USMNT midfielder Alfredo Morales was a big part of that team and signed an extension this summer. They have kept the majority of the team together from last year and added four through the summer transfer window. Elias Kachunga moves over from relegated Paderborn after scoring six goals in the top flight last year. Ingolstadt has also gotten younger on defense. Injuries could derail this team as they do not have depth at many positions, but they are going to work hard and try to win through defense.

12. TSG Hoffenheim

Coach Markus Gisdol has a completely different team around him. Hoffenheim was disappointed with an eighth-placed finish last year despite making strides from the previous season. Roberto Firmino is among the 18 players that are unavailable from last season. Hoffenheim has done their best to regroup and has great depth in central midfield and defense. Swiss international Fabian Schar will join the back line at center back. Hoffenheim will lack in creativity unless newcomer Jonathan Schmid performs above his form at Freiburg.

11. VfB Stuttgart

Stuttgart escaped the drop zone with a win on the final match day of the season last year. They were in last place for nearly half the season. Now new head coach Alexander Zorniger must take a combination of young and veteran acquisitions to plan an escape once more. A new goalkeeping group is headlined by Mitchell Langerak. Jan Kliment and Lukas Rupp should play big roles in the attack. The team has not done much to sure up the defense and will likely concede plenty of goals.

10. FSV Mainz

Mainz was unbeaten in the first eight games of the season in 2014. The team slid into the bottom two over the next 13 weeks, but managed to finish in the middle of the table. Martin Schmidt took over the team with 13 matches left last year and would like to continue the momentum he built. Mainz signed intriguing 22-year-old midfielder Yoshinori Muto, who netted a goal every 2.2 games in the Japanese top flight league. However, they lost the Bundesliga's all-time Japanese goal scorer, Shinji Okazaki. The departures of Johannes Geis and Jonas Hofmann will hurt Mainz.

10. FSV Mainz

Mainz was unbeaten in the first eight games of the season in 2014. The team slid into the bottom two over the next 13 weeks, but managed to finish in the middle of the table. Martin Schmidt took over the team with 13 matches left last year and would like to continue the momentum he built. Mainz signed intriguing 22-year-old midfielder Yoshinori Muto, who netted a goal every 2.2 games in the Japanese top flight league. However, they lost the Bundesliga's all-time Japanese goal scorer, Shinji Okazaki. The departures of Johannes Geis and Jonas Hofmann will hurt Mainz.

9. FC Schalke

Andre Breitenreiter is the third coach in a year at the helm of Schalke after a dissapointing second half of the season last year. They will need to play through the Europa League after challenging for the Champions League year after year. The Royal Blues will try to put last year behind them and get rid of a reputation of bad management. They added Geis from Mainz while making the Matija Nastasic loan permanent. They have built options in the midfield, but lack competition at full back. There are many questions about the defense, so it could be another struggle this season.

9. FC Schalke

Andre Breitenreiter is the third coach in a year at the helm of Schalke after a dissapointing second half of the season last year. They will need to play through the Europa League after challenging for the Champions League year after year. The Royal Blues will try to put last year behind them and get rid of a reputation of bad management. They added Geis from Mainz while making the Matija Nastasic loan permanent. They have built options in the midfield, but lack competition at full back. There are many questions about the defense, so it could be another struggle this season.

8. FC Augsburg

Augsburg have been on the rise for the last few years. They have played their way into European competition thanks in part to coach Markus Weinzierl. They have kept the team largely intact, but will have more demands. That should take its toll on a team that is still working off a small budget. It will be tough to match their fifth-placed finish of last season.

8. FC Augsburg

Augsburg have been on the rise for the last few years. They have played their way into European competition thanks in part to coach Markus Weinzierl. They have kept the team largely intact, but will have more demands. That should take its toll on a team that is still working off a small budget. It will be tough to match their fifth-placed finish of last season.

7. Eintracht Frankfurt

Frankfurt Talisman Alex Meier scored 19 goals in 26 Bundesliga matches last year after working his way back into the lineup under new coach Thomas Schaaf. Now Armin Veh will step in to try to find a way to sure up a defense that could not back Frankfurt's goal-scoring record. Stefan Reinartz will step into the defensive midfielder role to shield the back line, which will likely consist of newcomer David Abraham. Abraham has had injury issues that remain a concern. Add in needing to replace Kevin Trapp in goal and Augsburg has not fixed their defensive issues.

7. Eintracht Frankfurt

Frankfurt Talisman Alex Meier scored 19 goals in 26 Bundesliga matches last year after working his way back into the lineup under new coach Thomas Schaaf. Now Armin Veh will step in to try to find a way to sure up a defense that could not back Frankfurt's goal-scoring record. Stefan Reinartz will step into the defensive midfielder role to shield the back line, which will likely consist of newcomer David Abraham. Abraham has had injury issues that remain a concern. Add in needing to replace Kevin Trapp in goal and Augsburg has not fixed their defensive issues.

6. Werder Bremen

Franco Di Santo and coach Viktor Skripnik rescued Werder Bremen last year after the team sat in last place with nine games completed. They missed out on European play with a loss on the last day, but built plenty of momentum for 2015-16. Di Santo is gone, but Ujah has taken his space. However, the biggest issue remains on the defense as Bremen gave up the joint-most goals last season. They have brought in unproven defenders to try to sure up the back line. This season could follow the formula of last year as Bremen struggles in the early going before finding their game to challenge for a Europa League spot.

5. Borussia Dortmund

There is a new era starting at Dortmund with coach Thomas Tuchel. They have one foot in the door for the Europa League playoffs after climbing out of the bottom of the table last season. Dortmund has managed to keep its big guns through the summer, which includes signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to an extension. Gonzalo Castro comes over from Bayer Leverkusen to add creativity in the midfielder. The new goalkeeper will be Roman Burki, who led the league in saves last year. There will be a lot that is new about Dortmund this season, but it should not be as tumultuous as last year.

5. Borussia Dortmund

There is a new era starting at Dortmund with coach Thomas Tuchel. They have one foot in the door for the Europa League playoffs after climbing out of the bottom of the table last season. Dortmund has managed to keep its big guns through the summer, which includes signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to an extension. Gonzalo Castro comes over from Bayer Leverkusen to add creativity in the midfielder. The new goalkeeper will be Roman Burki, who led the league in saves last year. There will be a lot that is new about Dortmund this season, but it should not be as tumultuous as last year.

4. Borussia Monchengladbach

Gladbach's top-three finish last year exceeded expectations and now they will experience a busy schedule heading into the Champions League. Lucien Favre has presided over a golden age for the Foals. Fabian Johnson of the USMNT will be a big part of a team that did smart business thus far this summer. Max Kruse and Christoph Kramer are gone but direct replacements Josip Drmic and Lars Stindl will fit right in. Gladbach will be a part of a top four that could fluctuate early and often. They will likely hang around the top three all year.

4. Borussia Monchengladbach

Gladbach's top-three finish last year exceeded expectations and now they will experience a busy schedule heading into the Champions League. Lucien Favre has presided over a golden age for the Foals. Fabian Johnson of the USMNT will be a big part of a team that did smart business thus far this summer. Max Kruse and Christoph Kramer are gone but direct replacements Josip Drmic and Lars Stindl will fit right in. Gladbach will be a part of a top four that could fluctuate early and often. They will likely hang around the top three all year.

3. Wolfsburg

After a resurgence in 2014-15, the writing seemed to be on the wall for a couple of Wolfsburg's biggest stars to head out of town. At this point, they have been able to hold onto Kevin De Bruyne, the Bundesliga's best player last year, and Bas Dost. They also just beat Bayern Munich in the German Supercup to build momentum heading into the season. They will have to resist any late offers on their stars and hope the addition of Max Kruse means even more attacking power. This team is currently built to challenge for the title in the Bundesliga, but there could still be changes ahead.

3. Wolfsburg

After a resurgence in 2014-15, the writing seemed to be on the wall for a couple of Wolfsburg's biggest stars to head out of town. At this point, they have been able to hold onto Kevin De Bruyne, the Bundesliga's best player last year, and Bas Dost. They also just beat Bayern Munich in the German Supercup to build momentum heading into the season. They will have to resist any late offers on their stars and hope the addition of Max Kruse means even more attacking power. This team is currently built to challenge for the title in the Bundesliga, but there could still be changes ahead.

2. Bayer Leverkusen

Last year Leverkusen never fell past sixth in the standings during Roger Schmidt's first year. He seems like the right fit for the job and management has done great work this summer to bolster the team. Christoph Kramer returns from a two-year loan spell to play the box-to-box role. Admir Mehmedi adds a physical presence up front. Jonathan Tah should fit well in the back line. If they can qualify for the group stage of the Champions League, the rumor is B04 could try to make a flurry of signings to deal with the heavy schedule. If they do not qualify, they will have more focus on the Bundesliga season.

2. Bayer Leverkusen

Last year Leverkusen never fell past sixth in the standings during Roger Schmidt's first year. He seems like the right fit for the job and management has done great work this summer to bolster the team. Christoph Kramer returns from a two-year loan spell to play the box-to-box role. Admir Mehmedi adds a physical presence up front. Jonathan Tah should fit well in the back line. If they can qualify for the group stage of the Champions League, the rumor is B04 could try to make a flurry of signings to deal with the heavy schedule. If they do not qualify, they will have more focus on the Bundesliga season.

1. Bayern Munich

Bastian Schweinsteiger moved on and caused quite the emotional reaction for fans of the defending champions. However, it turns out to be good business as Arturo Vidal was brought in to take his place. There is less and less of a German influence on the team as Pep Guardiola enters the last year as coach on his current contract. Douglas Costa has already shown that his speed can cause problems and Arjen Robben looks to be fully healed from an injury-riddled 2014-15. The Bavarian giants should head to the top of the standings again this year, but the competition is getting harder.

1. Bayern Munich

Bastian Schweinsteiger moved on and caused quite the emotional reaction for fans of the defending champions. However, it turns out to be good business as Arturo Vidal was brought in to take his place. There is less and less of a German influence on the team as Pep Guardiola enters the last year as coach on his current contract. Douglas Costa has already shown that his speed can cause problems and Arjen Robben looks to be fully healed from an injury-riddled 2014-15. The Bavarian giants should head to the top of the standings again this year, but the competition is getting harder.