IT looked like Borussia Dortmund would finally end Bayern Munich's Bundesliga dominance last season when they flew out the traps as the champions struggled.
With new Bayern boss Niko Kovac suffering a sticky start, Lucien Favre's side took full advantage to race clear and raise hopes of a first title since 2012.
Dortmund still sat at the top going into the winter break but Kovac's side turned up the heat after going into cold storage and sealed a seventh successive title on the final day.
That completed a domestic treble after Bayern crushed Frankfurt 5-0 in the Supercup Final and eased past Leipzig 3-0 in the German Cup showpiece.
So after having his future cast into doubt during those early struggles, Kovac was entitled to reflect on the campaign with a smug smile.
Dortmund could take a measure of comfort from the fact they finished just two points adrift, having trailed 29 points behind in the previous campaign, but they will know they blew a golden chance to win the title.
It will be interesting to see if Favre's side can push Bayern again this season and the Supercup showdown at the Westfalen could give an indication of how things will pan out.
It's the end of an era in Munich with veteran wingers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben bringing the curtain down on their Bayern careers.
Robben bagged 99 goals in his 10 seasons win Germany while Ribery plundered 86 from his 12 years of service.
Losing that kind of firepower will be tough and the likes of Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman have yet to show they can deliver with that kind of consistency.
It doesn't look like Kovac believes they can reach the same heights as Bayern have been linked all summer with a move for Manchester City's Leroy Sane.
At least Bayern can still call on Robert Lewandowski up front and the Pole will be out to continue his incredible record in cup finals.
He netted five times in last season's two showpieces and boasts 11 strikes in total in German finals. So I'd snap up the evens on offer at William Hill for the Pole to score at any time against his old club.
Lewandowski hasn't been on fire in pre-season, netting just twice, but he comes alive on the big stage when he scents some silverware.
It's been a quiet summer so far for Kovac in the transfer market, with the only major reinforcements coming in defence after splashing out £100million to land French World Cup winners Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard.
Some of that cash has been recouped by selling Mats Hummels back to Dortmund for £25m and they may live to regret cutting him loose at the age of just 30.
Hummels will boost Dortmund's title chances and he's one of several shrewd signings by Favre as he looks to go one step further in the Bundesliga.
Thorgan Hazard looks a great signing from Monchengladbach while Leverkusen's Julian Brandt and Hoffenheim's Nico Schulz will add more quality.
Paco Alcacer's loan move from Barcelona has also been turned into a permanent deal and it looks as if Dortmund have the firepower to mount another title challenge.
New boy Brandt will miss the Supercup with injury while Hazard is also a doubt so try Marco Reus for an anytime Dortmund scorer at 11/5 with SportNation.
It was one win apiece in the head to head last season, with Dortmund winning the first showdown 3-2 before being crushed 5-0 in Munich.
Their last Supercup showdown ended in a 2-2 draw, with Bayern winning on penalties, and you have to go back to May 2016 for the last time there was a 0-0 stalemate. That suggests there will be goals so try over 3.5 strikes at 13/8 with Betfred.
This match could go all the way to penalties again and a repeat of that last Bayern shoot-out triumph in the Supercup pays 11/2 at BoyleSports.
This European match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich will be played on Aug 3, 2019 and kick off at 19:30. Check below for our tipsters best Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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