Big Bundesliga Winter Restart Check
With the winter break coming to an end, the ADMIRAL Bundesliga is set to resume with a flurry of new faces and fresh dynamics. As clubs gear up for the second half of the season, let’s take a closer look at the significant changes that have taken place among our top rivals. From high-profile departures to exciting new signings, the landscape has shifted, and these alterations could play a crucial role in the championship race.
SK Sturm Graz | 1st Place – 36 Points
Sturm Graz, currently leading the Bundesliga, has experienced quite a bit of turmoil over the winter break. Interim coach Jürgen Säumel has been appointed on a permanent basis, and sporting director Michael Parensen has been busy on the transfer front. Key players Mika Biereth and Jusuf Gazibegovic have moved on to AS Monaco and Cologne, respectively, while Manprit Sarkaria and loan player Erencan Yardimci have also departed. To bolster their squad, Sturm has brought in Fally Mayulu on a six-month loan from Bristol City and signed 19-year-old full-back Emran Soglo from Olympique Marseille’s youth ranks. Despite these changes, the team showed their resilience with a 1-0 home win against RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League. However, they struggled in friendlies, losing 0-2 to both HNK Rijeka and Austria Vienna. The big test will come on Sunday, 2 March, when we face off against Sturm at the Red Bull Arena. Tickets are available in our online Ticket Shop!
FK Austria Vienna | 2nd Place – 33 Points
Austria Vienna, currently in second place, had a relatively quiet winter break. The club signed Matteo Schablas from FC Liefering but immediately loaned him out, and players like Marvin Martins, Muharem Huskovic, and Matteo Meisl left on loans or transfers. The team’s preparation was solid, with two friendly wins and a draw, culminating in a stunning 2-0 away victory against reigning champions Sturm Graz in the cup quarter-finals. This result suggests that Austria Vienna is not to be underestimated in the second half of the season. We will face them on Matchday 19, 22 February, in Vienna. More details on the away match can be found in our Ticket Shop.
SK Rapid Vienna | 3rd Place – 28 Points
Rapid Vienna, sitting in third place, has been seeking to build on their promising start to the season. They reinforced their central midfield with Romeo Amane, a 21-year-old Ivorian from BK Häcken in Sweden. Ercan Kara and Andrija Radulovic joined on deadline day to boost the attack. The Green and Whites have seen a few departures, with Maximilian Hofmann, Bernhard Zimmermann, Samuel Horak, Dennis Kaygin, and Ryan Mmaee all leaving the club, but the core of their successful first half remains intact. Rapid’s preparation period was less impressive, with narrow 1-0 wins against St. Pölten and Blau-Weiß Linz. The Bundesliga opener against WAC on Saturday will be a crucial test for their new signings and the team’s overall readiness for the second half of the season.
Wolfsberger AC | 4th Place – 26 Points
WAC, in fourth place, was active right up to the transfer window’s close. They welcomed back Anderson Niangbo to the Austrian Bundesliga and added another former Austrian international, Alessandro Schöpf. Claude Kouakou and Abou Sylla, both from Ivory Coast, joined the club on the last day of the transfer window. WAC has started the new year well, with a 3-1 win in the UNIQA ÖFB Cup against SW Bregenz, securing a spot in the semi-finals. Didi Kühbauer’s side will visit us on Sunday, 16 March, to conclude the regular season.
FC Blau-Weiß Linz | 6th Place – 23 Points
The newly promoted side from Austria’s steel city, Blau-Weiß Linz, has shown promise but is still looking to solidify their position. Thomas Turner from SKN St. Pölten has joined to strengthen the goalkeeping department, and 20-year-old defensive specialist Elias Bakatukanda arrives on loan from Cologne, filling the void left by Silvan Wallner’s retirement in November 2024. Despite a 1-0 loss to Rapid Vienna in their final friendly, Linz is ready to tackle the upcoming derby against LASK. Their winter signings and current form suggest they are well-equipped to maintain their position in the upper half of the table.
SC Rheindorf Altach | 12th Place – 10 Points
At the bottom of the table, SCR Altach, coached by Fabio Ingolitsch, has been busy trying to regroup after a challenging first half of the season. They have added Marlon Mustapha from Düsseldorf and Como to boost their attack, with Gustavo Santos moving on to Japan’s second division. Further reinforcements include Benedikt Zech in defence from Schalke, Steve Noode from Schalke, Alexander Gorgon from Poland, and Florian Dietz on loan from Cologne. Their preparation has been positive, with a 3-2 friendly win against Stuttgarter Kickers. The team will aim to secure points in their opening match against WSG Tirol, and we will face them on Matchday 21, 9 March, in Altach.
Prediction Game Reminder
As the second half of the season kicks off, don’t forget to enter your ‘My RBS prediction game’ tips. You can earn points with accurate predictions for each Bundesliga matchday, and great prizes await the top three winners on each matchday. Head over to our prediction game to join the competition and show your forecasting skills!
