With the Bundesliga set to resume this weekend, it's unlikely that any team will challenge Bayern Munich's dominance and prevent the side from extending its league record to six straight titles.
Following the retirements of Philipp lahm and Xabi Alonso, Carlo Ancelotti's side has been boosted by the arrivals of French midfielder Corentin Tolisso for a Bundesliga-record 41.5 million euros from lyon and Colombian star James Rodriguez from Real Madrid, as well as defenders Niklas Suele and Sebastian Rudy from Hoffenheim.
"Everything's going according to plan," Ancelotti said after wins against Chemnitzer FC in the German Cup and Borussia Dortmund in the German Supercup, a minor showpiece to open the season. Bayern starts the league at home Friday against Bayer leverkusen.
leipzig, which surprised many by finishing second in its debut season in the top flight, is likely to find it tougher this time around as other sides are warned and it has to cope with Champions league football. French forward Jean-Kevin Augustin has arrived at the club funded by Red Bull from Paris Saint-Germain to replace David Selke, who joined Hertha Berlin. Portugal winger Bruma has been signed from Galatasaray.
However, leipzig's biggest success in the transfer market has been in convincing top performers Emil Forsberg and Naby Keita to stay.
Borussia Dortmund might be best placed to challenge Bayern, though a lot will depend on the side's ability to keep forwards Ousmane Dembele and Bundesliga top-scorer last season, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Dembele remained suspended by the club for pushing for a move to Barcelona, which has lodged a big money bid and may make another, while Aubameyang has been far from committal on his continued involvement.
Dortmund has a new coach, Peter Bosz, who arrived from Ajax with a reputation for helping young players.
Hoffenheim's progress under coach Julian Nagelsmann is expected to continue. Germany's coach of the year despite being the league's youngest at 30, Nagelsmann saved the side from relegation in his first season and clinched European football in his next.