The 2026-27 Bundesliga season begins on 28 August with three newly promoted sides—Schalke 04, SV Elversberg, and SC Paderborn—widely viewed as the primary relegation candidates due to limited squad depth, low market values, and lack of top-flight experience. Opta simulations assign Schalke the highest automatic relegation probability (24.5%), followed closely by Paderborn (23.2%) and Elversberg (22.9%), while bookmakers list Elversberg and Paderborn as shortest-priced to drop. Schalke’s return after three years in the second tier brings veteran striker Edin Džeko but raises questions about defensive stability and consistency against established sides. Other clubs in the extended battle include 1. FC Köln, Hamburger SV, Werder Bremen, and Union Berlin, which finished in the lower half of the 2025-26 table and face similar challenges adapting to the increased pace and physical demands of the league. Early-season results and squad reinforcements will quickly shape the 17th- and 18th-place positions, with the 16th-placed side entering the two-legged relegation playoff.