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
Upcoming Match Previews & Tips: Super Singles
- Fri 18:00 Sonderjyske v Lyngby
- Sat 11:00 Vissel Kobe v Tottenham Hotspur
- Sat 23:00 Manchester City v AC Milan
- Football Bet of the Day: Gangwon Goals Appeal on Friday Morning
- Olympic football matchday 2 tips: France set for another sweeping success
Racing Tips
Rizzel is in the riding seat for today's tips, with two of his picks coming from the meeting at Ascot
- Friday’s Racing Tips – More progression is likely for the impressive Kempton winner Mutaawid
- Friday’s Lucky 15 tips – Friday’s selections from Ascot, Sandown and York
As always, post your betting tips for today in the comments section below.
Overnight Double starting in a few minutes.
?? Lanús v Belgrano (22:45)
?? Atl. Tucumán v Instituto (01:00)
▪️O1.5 Match Goals Double
▫️1.5/1, William Hill
Goal short in the 2nd game, finished 3-2 between Lanús-Belgrano.
Little night owl ? for interest
Ceará SC
V
Botafogo SP
01:30
Brazilian Serie B ??
Botofogo to score 11-10 SKYBET.
Prediction 2-1.
Ceara conceded in 13 of last 15 home games.
Botofogo scored in their last 4 away games including 2 goals at leaders Santos.
They also scored in 8 of last 9 games overall.
Finished 4-1
Bet won ??
Your on fire ? Elvis.. long may it continue ?
Few penny’s on this in Indonesia ??
Madura utd vs Arema (9.30am)
Btts + over 2.5 match goals 11/10 ,
Goodluck ?
Finished 0-5 no home goal ?
?? Würzburg v Schwaben (18:00)
?? Étoile Carouge v Xamax (19:15)
▪️O2.5 Match Goals Double
▫️1.38/1, William Hill
✅️
3-1 in ?? and ??
Brugge v Mechelen
20 + booking points each team 7/4
50 + booking points in the match 13/8
The Belgian league can get a bit tasty at times .
Austrian cup 5pm
Kottmannsdorf to score 4/5 skybet
Good luck
Lost ?
Hobro ?? 6.00pm
Horsens ?? 6.00pm
Lausanne ?? 6.30pm
Club Brugge ?? 7.45pm
Over 2.5 match goals 4 fold 6/1 ,
Goodluck……….
❌️
Not been posting but looking on as I continue to try and prove the doctors wrong. Doing well, given one said I would be dead two weeks ago ?
Anyway, been really impressed by East Fife since season started, and no way they should be 10/1 to win tomorrow. I’ve lumped a fair whack on them to get a goal at 6/5, and invested a few bob at 18/1 ht ft and on the straight win. Canny take it with you as they say ?
Very worst scenario I reckon is an improved offer on my stake by kick off tomorrow, wouldn’t be surprised to see them around 4/1 by 3pm!
Hey mate nice to see you fighting and doing well man! Prayers for you and your family ?
Small stakes Yourodds effort tonight for an interest….
?? 7:30 Lechia Gdansk v Motor Lubin
Lechia Gdansk double chance & 2+ team goals
Lechia most corners & Lubin 2+ team corners
14/5
??7:45 Club Brugge v Mechelen
Brugge to win & 2+ team goals
Brugge most corners & Mechelen 3+ corners
Mechelen 2+ cards
18/5
?? Drogheda v Waterford
BTTS & Waterford 2+ team goals
3+ corners each
17/5
?? 7:45 Cobh Ramblers v Athlone
BTTS & o2.5gls
Athlone most corners
3/1
Any 3 & all 4(5 bets)
Best of luck all ?