5 bold predictions for the rest of the Bundesliga season

Bayern Munich looks vulnerable, Borussia Dortmund is sputtering and a newly promoted club is tied atop the league table. Welcome the the 2016-17 Bundesliga season, where conventional wisdom need not apply.

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Here are five bold predictions for the remainder of a campaign that has already provided so many twists and turns.

RB Leipzig finishes ahead of Dortmund

Not even the most optimistic Bundesliga follower thinks RB Leipzig will usurp Bayern Munich for the league crown.

But that doesn't mean the Bundesliga debutants won't come close and upset a number of teams on the way to securing a place in Europe.

While it’s difficult to picture a scenario where Leipzig comes to within a sniff of the title, the seven-year-old football club could be on the verge of an unlikely finish above perennial title contenders Borussia Dortmund.

Leipzig’s high-pressure, fearless approach has stymied the competition en route to an unbeaten record. But the team’s dependence on the likes of Timo Werner and Emil Forsberg could be its undoing if any of the preferred starting eleven go down with an injury.

Wolfsburg goes down

An already forgettable season could turn into a nightmare if Wolfsburg enters 2017 planted in relegation territory.

Judging by the gauntlet to close out the calendar year, Wolfsburg's chances of distancing itself from the drop zone will be far from easy with matches against FC Schalke 04, Hertha Berlin, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Monchengladbach on the horizon.

An inability to overcome departures of a handful of key contributors to last season's success, and its failure to improve under a new coach, could see the relegation fight last longer than anyone expected.

Modeste holds on for scoring title

When Anthony Modeste set his sights on reaching the 16-goal mark this season, the best case scenario likely would have forced him to dream up a higher total some time in early 2017.

But with 11 goals to his name through 10 matches, the red-hot FC Koln striker may have to consider a new benchmark before the New Year.

While the modest striker - who's scored more than half his team's goals - claims his blistering start would not be possible without his teammates, Modeste is savouring the friendly competition as he shares the scoring lead with his friend, and last season’s champion, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

“I sent him a text the other Monday to say that he'll have to wait a while longer to catch me in the scoring charts,” Modeste said, referring to the Borussia Dortmund forward, in an interview on Bundesliga’s official website. “Then it was his turn to rub it in a week later, when I didn't add to my lead and he scored four (laughs). He said he didn't need to make up for lost time. Auba' is a world-class striker and all his success is down to hard work.

Though Modeste admits that Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski will likely vault himself into the race, his improved focus and willingness to do the necessary work away from the pitch should continue to help the French forward’s efforts to dethrone Aubameyang.

Ancelotti in danger despite leading Bayern to title

It’s no secret that Bayern Munich’s expectations are a little higher than its German competitors heading into any given season.

Which is why Carlo Ancelotti is likely going to have to submit more than just a Bundesliga title into the team’s trophy room if he wants to avoid doubts over his chances of returning as manager.

As Pep Guardiola knows all too well, the Champions League is far from guaranteed, regardless of Bayern's bottomless talent pool. While winning the double during two of his three seasons in charge is nothing to scoff at, failing to win the Champions League has to be a regret that continues to eat at the Manchester City gaffer.

Ancelotti, however, knows a thing or two about what it takes to conquer Europe after triumphs with both AC Milan and Real Madrid.

Retaining the DFB-Pokal Cup likely buys him another year. But, capturing the trophy that eluded his predecessor could spark contract extension talks. Otherwise, if Bayern continues to under perform against its lofty expectations, Ancelotti’s future will be in doubt.

Monchengladbach surges into Europe

Juggling Bundesliga and Champions League duties has been a struggle for Borussia Monchengladbach so far.

Yet, with its Champions League journey likely giving way to a Europa League appearance, Gladbach will soon begin to shift its attention primarily to the league.

Despite the loss of a couple key players through summer transfers, Andre Schubert's squad should be more than capable of digging itself out of a hole in a less dramatic fashion then Gladbach was forced to do last season before he was named manager.