Betfair Live Video: Buckle up, for the return of the Belgian Pro League

After a positive World Cup campaign, the Belgian fans will welcome the return of the domestic league

With the return of the Belgian top league, as well as action from the Swedish Allsvenskan, Betfair Live Video is the place to be this Saturday. Lewis Watson takes a look at the betting...

Malmo vs Kalmar
Saturday 15:00

We've reached the mid-way point in the Swedish Allsvenskan, and with reigning champions Malmo already leading proceedings by six points, 'Di blae' will be looking to stifle the advances of close rivals Kalmar at the Swedbank Stadion. 

After cruising to their twentieth title last campaign, Age Hareide and the Malmo faithful are looking more than comfortable in the defence of their crown. With just one defeat to their name at the hands of an aggressive Hacken outfit, Malmo have looked comfortable throughout the start of the season, with their defensive stubbornness the main reason for this success.

With Johansson, Ricardinho and Helander proving un-droppable at the back, keeper Olsen has made their record look even more impressive, contributing to seven clean sheets already in league outings. 

If there is one criticism of the reigning champions so far this campaign, it would be the lack of potency in the attacking third. Sure, 27 goals in 15 matches shouldn't be sniffed at - but with a majority of the chasing pack outscoring them, a time may come where Malmo are left short in the attacking department. 

Despite this, Uruguayan born midfielder Guillermo Molins has made quite the impact in the last few months. Scoring six goals in his last nine league matches, the 25-year-old has dug Malmo out of a few holes, arguably earning the side eight points in that time. 

The visitors, sitting seven points behind leaders Malmo, should be fairly content with their campaign so far. After finishing the 2013 season in fourth spot, the one-time winners of the Allsvenskan will still feel positive in reliving the success they had back in the 2008 season. 

However, in similar circumstance to their opponents, fire-power up front seems to be the main reason holding 'Roda broder' back from a convincing title charge. With just 21 goals scored (the least in the top half of the table), Hans Eklund will require more out of Diouf, Elm and Andersson, all arguably struggling for form. 

In the reverse fixture, these sides met only a week ago, with a share of the spoils being taken at the Guldfageln Arena. With first half goals from Thelin and Soderqvist, the second half petered out with both sides arguably happy with the point. However, with Malmo hosting this fixture, expect 'Di blae' to show much more aggression in the final third, looking to breach a fairly compact Kalmar defence. 

Expect Kalmar to sit back early trying to soak up the Malmo waves, but as the second half progresses, the hosts should show their class in taking the spoils in front of an expectant home crowd. 

Recommended Bets:
Back Malmo to win @ 1.645/8
Back 2-0 Malmo @ 8.415/2

Waasland-Beveren vs Club Brugge
Saturday 17:00

After escaping relegation by the skin of their teeth in the last campaign, hosts Waasland-Beveren will come into this new campaign with a point to prove amongst the big boys of Belgian football. 

With their 13 draws helping them stay afloat at the expense of OH Leuven and Mons, Waasland-Beveren will look to hit the ground running in this year's Pro League and have a few new faces to help them provide a decent challenge towards the top half of the table. 

With the free transfer from relegated OH Leuven of Gambian striker Ibou, WB's strike-force already looks stronger than last season. Although the 27-year-old has struggled for minutes and goals in the previous two seasons, his 19 goals in the 12-13 season has still caught the eye of Ronny van Geneugden who has added him to the strike-force which was primarily focused around Macedonian striker Ivan Trickovski.  

With a lack of goals and too many draws the main issue last campaign, WB will have to show a lot more aggression if they are to turn draws into victories. With Westerlo and Mouscron-Peruwelz gaining promotion from the second division, Ronny van Geneugden's side will target these games as must-win, as they start their attempted climb up the table. 

After pushing Anderlecht all the way to last year's title, Club Brugge will come into the new campaign eyeing up their fourteenth Belgian Championship. After a solid season under Michel Preud'homme, 'Blaw-Zwart' came within four points of the winners Anderlecht, with their Championship Playoff form proving their downfall. 

With a lack of notable arrivals and overall movement in the transfer market, Brugge will need to rely on their plethora of striking options to try and score their way to the Belgian title. With a choice of over 6 strikers on their books, Brugge will once again focus their attack around Pro League stalwart Tom De Sutter.

With twelve goals in the last two seasons, the 29-year-old will once again be relied upon to deliver the majority of the attacking threat for Brugge. With Preud'homme often opting to play a loan striker in the league, the Belgian will bank on the service from wide men Sobota and Lestienne. 

Don't expect the visitors to have it all their own way at the Freethiel Stadion. Although the stronger outfit, WB will pack a tight defence for the season's opener, proving hard to break down.

Back the Club Brugge win @ 1.8810/11
Back 0-1 to Club Brugge @ 7.87/1