Friday’s Football Tips: Belgian champions Club Brugge out to start the new campaign with a bang

THE Belgian title race was a thriller last term with Club Brugge pipping Union St-Gilloise by a point in the Champions' play-offs – despite finishing 19 points behind them in the regular season.

They ended the campaign by losing just once in 14 games in all competitions and that defeat came in the semi-final of the Europa Conference League as they bowed out to Fiorentina.

Coach Nicky Hayen had his team flying and he'll be looking for the players to pick up where they left off as they begin the Pro League campaign tonight at home to Mechelen.

But they haven't been playing well in pre-season and lost 2-1 to Union last weekend in the Super Cup, Belgium's version of the Community Shield.

Mechelen finished in mid-table last term, just missing out on a Euro play-off slot, but proved a tough nut to crack for Brugge.

Both meeting last term ended in draws so the champions will know tonight's opener is far from a gimme.

Club Brugge v Mechelen Top Betting Tips

Striker Igor Thiago was a high-profile departure for Club Brugge over the summer as Premier League side Brentford splashed out to sign the Brazilian.

But Hayen looks to have made a smart move by snapping up Gustaf Nilsson as his replacement, a deal that has weakened last season's title rivals Union in the process. Nilsson didn't start in the Super Cup though so Hans Vanaken might be a better option for anytime scorer, with the attacking midfielder 9/5 at Betfred.

Club Brugge haven't been keeping a lot of clean sheets in pre-season so BTTS stands a chance at 5/6. Combining that with over 2.5 goals boosts the odds to 11/10.

Sonderjyske v Lyngby Top Tips

The Danish league got underway last weekend and the second round of fixtures begins with Lyngby making the trip to Sonderjyske.

Both teams lost their opening game, although Lyngby had the tougher assignment as they hosted title favourites FC Copenhagen and lost 2-0.

Sondersjyske are back in the top flight after winning the second-tier last term but were edged out 1-0 on the road at Silkeborg last weekend.

This game is a tough one to call and the half-time draw appeals at 6/5. With neither side scoring last week, betting against BTTS could also pay off at evens.

Bohemians v Dundalk Top Tips

There's action in Ireland tonight as well and Dundalk's trip to Bohemians is the pick of the two games.

Dundalk sit in the relegation play-off slot and a win tonight is essential if they're to stand a chance of catching Bohemians above them.

Although the gap is just four points at the moment, Bohemians have two games in hand and can move above St Patrick's Athletic into seventh with a victory.

Dundalk can take heart from the fact they're in better form than Bohemians, who have gone six games without a win. In contrast, Jon Daly's men have won three of their last six but they're still 23/10 outsiders tonight, with the home side 11/10 favourites.

BTTS hasn't landed in any of the last three meetings so betting against it could pay off at 5/6. The half-time draw looks good again and that pays 21/20 here.

Friday's Football Tips: Super Singles

• Hans Vanaken anytime scorer 9/5 Betfred
• BTTS no in Sonderjyske v Lyngby Evens Betfred
• HT draw in Bohemians v Dundalk 21/20 Betfred

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Racing Tips

Rizzel is in the riding seat for today's tips, with two of his picks coming from the meeting at Ascot

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As always, post your betting tips for today in the comments section below.

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