Kilmarnock v Cercle Bruges Betting Tips [25 July 2024]

Kilmarnock and Cercle Brugge are set to face off in their opening game of the season. The two will meet in the 2nd qualifying round of the Europa League with Kilmarnock hosting at Rugby Park. Follow here for a look at the stats and a prediction of the match.

Kilmarnock wrapped up pre-season on a high with wins over Auchinleck Talbot and Barrow, scoring nine goals in total. Save for their two losses in five matches, Kilmarnock can look to their pre-season activities with satisfaction.

They managed three clean sheets in the final four matches, a place to build from as they start the 2024/25 campaign. Their last two home games actually produced 10 goals in Killie’s favor. The Scottish side hasn’t been in Europe for a while now but will hope to make this count. Before 2019, Kilmarnock had played in the Europa League last in 2001.

Like Kilmarnock, Cercle Brugge aren’t experienced in the Europa League. The last time they were in the competition was in 2010. Back then, they could only reach this stage they are in at the moment. In their history, the Belgians have played only four Europa League matches.

The visitors will be looking to break into newer territory here. Cercle Brugge had two friendly matches to prepare for this season, and they won one then drew the other. In all their last seven matches, pre-season ones inclusive, Cercle Brugge lost just once.

Their most recent was a 1-1 draw with Monaco which will give them confidence coming into this encounter. It will concern them though, that in their last five away matches, they won just once.

There is plenty of attacking quality in these two sides ahead of their season opener. They both hope to start the 2023/24 campaign on a high, which could be a guarantee we’ll have goals here. As the two teams have been scoring pretty consistently lately, we may even witness a high scoring game. That’s why our prediction for Kilmarnock v Cercle Brugge is for the game to have over 2.5 goals.