Belgian First Division A 2020/21 preview – data analysis

The EPL, La Liga and Bundesliga were all completed in the 2019/20 season. However, the Belgian First Division A was one of the first leagues in Europe to be permanently cancelled due to COVID-19. Whilst the league was not fully concluded in 2019/20, the restart of the competition for the 2020/21 is scheduled for the 8^th of August 2020. This data analysis will utilise data, statistics and analysis from the 2019/20 season to appraise each team and provide a preview for the 2020/21 Belgian First Division A. Key information will include each team’s manager, formation, attacking performance, defensive performance, a summary of their strengths to reinforce and weaknesses to improve.

2019/20 summary

When the league was cancelled, Club Brugge were crowned champions. There was no championship round, but it is clear to see, given their points tally, that Club Brugge were the best team in the league and would have been clear favourites going into the championship round. By winning the league, Club Brugge earned a spot in the UEFA Champions League, Gent took a UEFA Champions League qualifying spot, Charleroi were entered into the Europa League qualifying. Antwerp finished below Charleroi but gained entry to the Europa League group stage directly due to beating Club Brugge in the recently rescheduled Belgian Cup Final. With the Europa League play-offs cancelled, Standard Liège were awarded a Europa League qualifying spot due to finishing 5^th.

Waasland-Beveren finished last but were spared relegation due to a vote to expand the league from 16 to 18 teams. This change resulted in both teams in the promotion play-offs in the Belgian First Division B, Beerschot and OH Leuven, both being promoted to the expanded Belgian First Division A.

2020/21 preview

Due to the league expansion, there have also been changes to the championship round, Europa League play-offs and relegation for the 2020/21 season. The whole league system in Belgium can get very complicated, so all of the ins and outs will not be explained.