The German Bundesliga is one of the most exciting divisions in world football, and once again, eternal rivals Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich are expected to battle for the crown. However, another interesting battle to look out for is the race for the top scorer award.
Who are the contenders for the golden boot this year?
Claudio Pizarro (Werder Bremen)
Every now and then, a striker in the Bundesliga comes from one of the less popular clubs and steals the top scorer record.
Blessed with a heading ability that few strikers in Europe can match, Pizarro might be able to score a lot of goals if the team can play to his strengths. Last season, he scored 14 goals in 28 league appearances (via Transfermarkt).
Javier Hernandez (Bayer Leverkusen)
The Mexican international might not be as quick, or as tall, or as powerful as some of the other names on this list, but the 5ft 9 inch former Manchester United player knows where the back of the net is. Although he is currently out with a wrist injury, he is earmarked for a return in the game against Hamburg.
Last season, he scored 17 goals in 28 league appearances in the league and 26 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions (via Transfermarkt). He finished fourth on the list of top scorers in the league last season.
Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
The versatile Bayern Munich player is now recognised as one of the most potent goal threats in Germany, whether as a centre-forward, attacking midfielder, or a winger.
Most likely to be deployed on the right flank, no other player in Germany except Marco Reus can come close to matching Muller’s potency from wide positions.
Last season, he scored 20 goals in 31 appearances in the league finishing third on the top goalscorers chart, and 32 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions (via Transfermarkt)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund)
The Gabon international striker is arguably the quickest player in world football, and last year, he added composure and finishing to his game, scoring goal after goal in the Bundesliga and the Europa League.
His partnership with Marco Reus and Henrikh Mkhitaryan was the most mobile and dynamic attack in Germany last year.
Aubameyang was in devastating form last season, scoring 25 Bundesliga goals, finishing in second place in the list of top goal scorers, and 39 in all competitions (via Transfermarkt), and he has already bagged a brace this season.
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Robert Lewandowski is the most elite striker in Germany at the moment, and one of the top three pure centre-forwards in world football.
Blessed with composure, height, finishing, technique, shot power and positioning, Lewandowski has shown time and time again that he is a special player.
30 goals in 32 league appearances last season, and 42 in 51 in all appearances last season (via Transfermarkt), he has already scored a hat trick this season and he is the man everyone who wants the top scorer award will have to compete against.