Wolfsburg Has Strong Start to 2015 - 2016 Bundesliga

Are VfL Wolfsburg headed toward another solid season in the German Bundesliga? It certainly seems that way as Wolfsburg has strong start to 2015 - 2016 Bundesliga, following the first five weeks of competitive play. The Wolves are one of only three undefeated clubs left on the 18-team table, and while they aren't quite keeping pace with the league leaders, they are still maintaining dark horse contender status thus far.

Wolfsburg's Recent Bundesliga History

Wolfsburg have only won the Bundesliga title once ever, in 2008 2009. However, the football club's lack of trophies in the league doesn't have much to do with poor performance. Instead, it's a byproduct of the dominance that Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have enjoyed in German football over the past decade and a half.

Since the turn of the century, Bayern Munich have won the Bundesliga title 10 times. Borussia Dortmund have scored three wins. Only three other soccer clubs have clinched titles: Werder Bremen in 2004, VfB Stuttgart in 2007, and Wolfsburg in 2009.

Wolfsburg got closer than ever before to winning a second German title in 2014 2015, though. With Dortmund crashing and burning in one of the worst seasons in their history, there was an opening near the top of the table for another football club to take. Bayern Munich still won the title, but the Wolves managed to take the runner-up slot-albeit, 10 points off the lead.

Off to a Good Start

This fall, Bayern Munich are still in top form and Borussia Dortmund have bounced back, which means Wolfsburg have been pushed down to fourth place. Munich has won all six matches so far, Dortmund have won five. The Wolves, meanwhile, have won three games, drawn two, and lost their most recent fixture in a disappointing away match at FC Bayern, for a point total of 11.

Up until Tuesdays 5-1 defeat, the Wolves had oscillated between wins and draws, only allowing their opponents to score three goals total. In week one, players donned the Wolfsburg home jersey 2015 2016 for a 2-1 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt. The next week, the Wolves drew 1-1 in an away fixture with FC Koln.

Their biggest moment came in a week three home match against Schalke 04, which they won 3-0. They also won 2-0 in a home game against Hertha Berlin in week five but settled for a scoreless stalemate with Ingolstadt in a week four away game.

There's a clear pattern here: the Wolves win their home games and draw or lose their away fixtures. Interestingly, their biggest win came against Schalke 04, who should have been one of their tougher opponents. Schalke typically rank near the top of the Bundesliga and are currently in fourth place. Ingolstadt, meanwhile, should theoretically have been an easy win for the Wolves, given the fact that they were just promoted to the Bundesliga after last season.

Still, we've seen proof already that Wolfsburg are solid as both an offensive and defensive team. The football club's top scorer from the 2014 2015 season, Bas Dost, is back this year and has already netted four goals in league competition. Up until Bayern's shutout victory the Wolves had the lowest "goals against" tally of any team in the Bundesliga. However, Lewandowski's 5-goal thriller dented that record in only 9-minutes.

Add a 1-0 win against CSKA Moscow in the first group stage match of the UEFA Champions League, and things are looking pretty solid for Wolfsburg at the moment.

Dark Horse Chances

Could the Wolves translate their current success into another top two position in 2015 2016? At the moment, it seems unlikely. Both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have been on fire so far this season, and neither soccer club is showing any sign of slowing down. Still third place is a good spot to be in-not just because it affords a Champions League qualification, but also because Wolfsburg will be the first team on deck if either or both of the frontrunners hit rough patches.

What do you think? Are the Wolves playing the long game? Could they potentially displace Bayern Munich from the top of the Bundesliga this season? Or are they content to just land a spot on the podium? Link up with Soccer Box on social media to share your thoughts! We are active on multiple social networks including Facebook, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.