Five games in to the new Bundesliga campaign and there is a familiar look at the very top of the table, where FC Bayern sit in first place, level on points with Bayer Leverkusen.
We have seen some terrific action and some eye-catching results, and plenty of players making a name for themselves, with man-of-the-match performances to get their fans of their seats. So here are the SBOTOP picks for the five stars who have been among those playing the best football so far in the German top flight.
Serhou Guirassy – VfB Stuttgart
The surprise package among the leading pack is VfB Stuttgart who have won four and lost one of their opening five games scoring a hatful of goals along the way; and ten of their 17 strikes have come from Guinean striker Guirassy. The 27 year old started the campaign in electrifying form, scoring eight goals with eight shots on target in his opening four games. He bagged another two in last week’s 3-1 win over Darmstadt to make it ten for the campaign and put him in the lead for the Golden Boot at this early stage.
Born in France to Guinean parents the 6ft 2in striker picked up some youth caps for France before playing for the full Guinea team. He scored 11 goals in 22 games on loan at Stuttgart last season, on loan from Stade Rennes, and he made the move permanent this summer, signing a three year contract. He has strength, pace and is strong in the air and Guirassy will be the signing of the summer if he carries on at this rate.
Harry Kane – Bayern Munich
Bayern’s big summer signing has made a fantastic start in Munich and the England captain has rarely been out of the Bundesliga 2023 news from the moment he arrived at the Allianz Arena. With seven goals and three assists, and 21 shots registered he is every bit the player the Bundesliga champions hoped they would be signing and Kane will push Guirassy hard over the coming weeks.
He looks as sharp as ever and, travelling the opposite direction to the likes of Kai Havertz, Erling Braut-Haaland and Christian Pulisic, who all succeeded in the Bundesliga, Kane looks set to break some records this season. He’s certainly likely to become the top scoring Englishman in the German league before too long, a position currently held by Jadon Sancho who scored 38.
Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen
Second placed Bayer are a good bet to improve on their sixth placed finish from last season. They have one of the brightest young managers in European football, in Xabi Alonso and some seriously talented players. Striker Victor Boniface, signed from Union SG in Belgium, has scored six goals in his first five games, German international Jonas Hoffman is a driving force in midfield and another attacking talent, Nathan Tella, has arrived from Burnley.
But the man who has been getting Leverkusen fans the most excited is 20 year old winger Florian Wirtz. He already has ten international caps and 80 appearances for Die Werkself. His pace and energy, combined with brilliant footwork and an offensive mindset make him a very special prospect and Bayer are a good bet for a top four place with him in the side.
The latest Bundesliga 2023 betting odds reckon Leverkusen will do it.
Ivan Ordets – VfL Bochum
Bochum batted to survival with a 14th placed finish last season and they will have to fight hard to stay out of trouble again this term. 6ft 5in Ukrainian centre back Ivan Ordets was a commanding figure at the heart of Bochum’s defence last term after moving from Dynamo Moscow, and with the most duels won at 67, and the most aerial duels (32) won in the league he has already put in a huge shift this season. Similar in stature and style to Brighton defensive rock Lewis Dunk, Ordets is an unsung hero but one of the first names on Thomas Letch’s team sheet.
Gregor Kobel – Borussia Dortmund
BVB have stuttered their way through the campaign so far, edging past Cologne and Wolfsburg with 1-0 wins and drawing with FC Heidenheim and Bochum. The only expansive performance came in a 4-2 victory away to SC Freiburg, so solidity at the back has been vital. The last line of defence is keeper Kobel, the 25 year old Switzerland international who has, over the past two campaigns, made the Number One jersey his own.
Cologne had four shots on target against BVB and Kobel kept them at bay as his strikers worked hard to break through at the other end. Keepers love a 1-0 win and Kobel is no exception. Another impressive unit at 6ft 5in, he commands his area with confidence and is a great shot stopper.
BVB are in sixth place but only two points off the top; they have a solid base, and when their creative players start firing Dortmund could make a title charge.
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