Bayern start defense of title against Hertha Berlin

The result of Bayern Munich, with the exception of a win against Hertha Berlin on Friday during the opening match of the Bundesliga season, will be a surprise.
League and Cup champion Bayern Munich are entering their 57th Bundesliga season as the main contenders for the title. Bayern Munich are looking for their eighth consecutive title.
Bayern have also won their opening match in the last six seasons – a seventh victory would be a Bundesliga record – and Hertha Berlin's numbers in Munich do not prove Bayern's winning streak in their opening matches can stop.
In 12 games at Bayern's Allianz Arena, Hertha Berlin has recorded 11 losses and a 0-0 draw in the 2017-18 season.
However, the question marks remain ahead of the start of a season in which many fans believe that Borussia Dortmund – last season's finalist – is perfectly equipped to win his first trophy since 2012, the last season for which Bayern Munich did not win the title.
Bayern have been under pressure on their transfer business.
Although he won the national double in his first season at the helm, Nico Kovac, the coach, did not receive the unconditional support of the club's officials.
The new recruit Ivan Perisic will not be able to play because of the suspension imposed upon him when he was Inter Milan player. Midfielder Javi Martinez is also absent.
Dudi Lukibakyu will be available for the Hertha Berlin group. The Belgian striker will visit Munich with the memory of having scored three hat tricks last season while he was on loan at Fortuna Dusseldorf. Hertha Berlin kicks off its new season, backed by a new investor, and Ante Covic, one of eight new Bundesliga coaches this season.
Despite his low numbers in Munich, Hertha can hope to win victories in the first few days of the past four seasons, and the club change since last season allows them to be badured of a good result.
In addition, expectations are high in Dortmund, which begins its campaign tomorrow (Saturday) with Augsburg after the conclusion of strong summer affairs, such as Thorgan Hazard, Julian Brandt, Nico Schulz and Mats Homels, back from Bayern Munich.
Dortmund starts the season, supported by victory in the Super Cup after beating Bayern Munich (2-0), and qualifying for the second round of the German Cup.
The opening round will also focus on new coaches and provide a first glimpse of the task facing newly promoted teams, the Berlin Union, Paderborn and Cologne.
Expectations remain high in Leipzig, which will face Sunday's host at Union Berlin, led by Urs Fischer.
Julian Nagelsmann, 32, is currently heading Leipzig, which aims to consolidate his third place last season.
Two new Bundesliga coaches will meet face to face tomorrow (Saturday), when Borussia Moenchengladbach, led by Marco Rose, will meet Schalke under David Wagner.
The same goes for Oliver Glasner, Wolfsburg coach, who will face Ashem Berluszer, coach of Cologne.
At the same time, Freiburg plays for Mainz, while Werder Bremen against Fortuna Düsseldorf will be the match of Bremen in 1867 in the Bundesliga, beating Hamburg in second position.