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Club Brugge v Leicester: line-ups, where to watch, form guide

Michel Preud'homme said Club Brugge can take heart from Leicester's title success last season as they meet the English champions, noting: "With the right mindset, you can go a long way."

Timmy Simons and Michel Preud'homme meet the media ahead of matchday one
Timmy Simons and Michel Preud'homme meet the media ahead of matchday one ©AFP/Getty Images
  • "With the right mindset, you can go a long way," says Michel Preud'homme
  • Club Brugge cast themselves as outsiders in their opening game
  • English champions making tournament debut in Belgium
  • Claudio Ranieri on winning UEFA Champions League: "The impossible is possible"
  • Don't forget to pick your Fantasy Football team before the deadline

Possible line-ups
Club Brugge: Butelle; Van Rhijn, Engels, Denswil, De Bock; Vormer, Simons; Vanaken, Claudemir, Izquierdo; Diaby.
Out: Refaelov (pelvis), Wesley (ankle)

Leicester: Schmeichel; Hernández, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs; Mahrez, Drinkwater, Amartey, Albrighton; Okazaki, Vardy.
Out: Schlupp (muscle strain)
Doubtful: Simpson (hamstring), Mendy (ankle)

Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.

Club Brugge coach Michel Preud'homme
Club Brugge coach Michel Preud'homme©AFP/Getty Images

Michel Preud'homme, Club Brugge coach
What Leicester did last season is a great story, and they proved one thing – with the right mindset, you can go a long way. We want to get back in the the form we were in when we won the title last season.

We know where we want to go, and maybe – maybe I say – people do not expect much from us, as in theory [Leicester] are stronger than us. With strength and the right mentality we can do something, as we have nothing to lose."

Claudio Ranieri, Leicester manager
We want to show our best, our desire is to win. We have to fight, but with a lot of respect for everybody. Brugge are a good team, the best in Belgium. They are used to playing in Europe. They have experience and that means something.

It's important to play in Europe beyond December: that's our goal. We want to be in the knockout stage. Winning the Champions League is impossible. But Leicester have shown before that the impossible is possible.

Leicester forward Jamie Vardy
Leicester forward Jamie Vardy©Getty Images

Weekend results
Waasland-Beveren 1-0 Club Brugge (Schrijvers 58)
Club Brugge's poor form continued as they suffered a third reverse in five league games. Siebe Schrijvers's second-half strike was enough to give the hosts their first win while the champions slipped to a third consecutive loss on the road.

Liverpool 4-1 Leicester (Firmino 13 89, Mané 31, Lallana 56; Vardy 38)
It was not the ideal warm-up for Leicester's UEFA Champions League debut as they endured the second defeat of their title defence despite Jamie Vardy giving them hope late in the first half, pouncing on a mix-up at the back for Liverpool. Not long before, Danny Simpson had limped off, while new signing Islam Slimani was not included.

Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)*
Club Brugge: LDLWLW
Leicester: LWDL

*This season only

Club Brugge supporters
Club Brugge supporters©Getty Images

Reporter's view: Berend Scholten (@UEFAcomBerendS)
This can be viewed as a welcome distraction for Club Brugge, who have made a slow start to their domestic campaign and are tenth in the Belgian top flight after six matches. Their first group stage appearance since December 2005 could be just the boost they need. The good news is that Preud'homme has only Lior Refaelov still unavailable and is sure to have no problem motivating his team for an opener against the Premier League champions.

Did you know?
Leicester have won just twice in eight European fixtures to date – which side did they beat in both of those victories? Read more in our extensive match background.