Football Season Guide

Brugge start the season as two-time champions over the last two years and once again regarded as the team to beat. They have managed to retain the core of the squad that basically coasted to the title last season and should be regarded as the prohibitive favourites for the coming campaign unless they lose some key players by the end of August. Noa Lang, who made an absolute splash last season, is the one most heavily linked with a move but so far he is staying put and he should be key for Philipe Clement's system. The likes of Charles De Ketelaere, Youssouph Badji and Ignace van Brempt will look to continue their impressive development after really making a breakthrough last season and once again the big aim for Brugge is to make a real push in the Champions League this season and try to get into the knockout stages. The one worry for Clement must be the relative lack of depth in the wide areas ahead of the season and there could be some signings made in that regard before the end of August.