Elversberg could well become the season’s dark horse for European qualification.
Who could have guessed the table’s rear guard would be so lively? As the league halts for an extended international break, it’s the perfect moment to spotlight the surprise performers of 2026/27 so far.
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Phillip Tietz Club: Mainz (5th) Position: Forward
The 29-year-old marksman is known to deliver goals, previously hitting 21 in four Bundesliga seasons for Augsburg and his current club, but not on the same scale as in the opening weeks of 2026/27.
By turning in an early equaliser in a helter-skelter 4-3 win at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Matchday 4, Tietz netted his fourth goal in three games, putting him on track to beat his record top-flight goals’ tally of eight in 2023/24.
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His hunger for goals shines through a powerful centre‑forward style, placing him among the league’s leaders in duels and aerial battles won.
Suzuki is another early‑season scorer. Four goals in his debut season for Freiburg hint at his potential, and a stunning opening‑week hat‑trick against Werder Bremen proved he’s ready to press on. In my view, his form signals a breakout campaign.
Watch:Freiburg 4-1 Werder Bremen – highlights
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He silenced any doubts with a superb volley, earning Freiburg a 2‑2 draw at Frankfurt on Matchday 4. While Julian Schuster’s charges fell short for the first time, they kept their unbeaten run and top‑four spot heading into the break.
Bremen’s top‑half standing after a loss to Freiburg surprised many, and the Belgian full‑back has been central to their resurgence.
Olivier Deman has featured every minute of Werder Bremen’s campaign so far. – IMAGO/DeFodi.de
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While a 2‑2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen and a 3‑2 loss at Bremen have tempered Augsburg’s early surge, Rieder’s contributions—one goal and three assists, including a perfectly timed pass for Robin Fellhauer—already tally four goal involvements.
Lukas Petkov Club: Elversberg (8th) Position: Right winger
Elversberg, the league’s newest entrants, have been the season’s biggest shock, stunning Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Mönchengladbach before edging Bayern Munich to a 2‑1 defeat.
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While the likes of Maurice Krattenmacher and Cole Campbell have played a part in the underdogs’ punchy start, Petkov arguably did more than anyone to get them off the mark in the top flight by opening the scoring against Leverkusen and then laying on a cross for David Mokwa for their third goal in the 3-2 win.
He played the full 90 minutes as his side picked up another point on the road against Schalke on Matchday 4.
The Bulgarian’s 13 goals in Elversberg’s second-place Bundesliga 2 finish last season showed what he is capable of, but few would have dared to predict such a seamless transition to the top flight for him or his team.
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