Standard Liege have always been one of the top teams in Belgium. They have won eight league titles and been Cup winners five times. However, it was back in 1983 when they were last champions - and Anderlecht, Brugge and Genk have taken away their mantle as Belgium's best.

This season Standard have had their best start for many years, winning all three matches so far, and resoundingly, too – by 4-1 scorelines against Brussels, Zulte Cercle Brugge.

Anderlecht and Club Brugge aren't far behind but haven't played with the same dominance and flair of Liege. Only last weekend Anderlecht were 2-0 up against Jupiler League newcomers FC Dender, only to be pegged back to 2-2, hardly the form of defending champions. Will Champions League success and commitment distract Anderlecht too much at the beginning of the season to mount a Belgian league challenge? Club Brugge also have won three but have lost their number one striker Bosko Balaban to Dinamo Zagreb. Brugge also don't travel well and this could hinder their success.

'Being third best behind Anderlecht and Brugge over the last 20 years has had an effect this season'

Last year's runners-up Genk have had a disastrous start to the new season. Dumped out of the Champions League in the second qualifying round to minnows FC Sarajevo, they also had a humiliating 5-0 league loss to Gent.

So maybe Liege have a chance. Their players may be distracted by UEFA Cup football but it's the league title they want. Being third best behind Anderlecht and Brugge over the last 20 years has had an effect this season. Their team has finally gelled and are ready for action.

The brilliant Serbian striker Milan Jovanovic, who has scored 27 times in 42 matches for the Reds, will be the key player along with his Brazilian striker partner Igor De Camargo. They are lethal in this league and can only be equalled by Anderlecht's Mohamed Tchite, Mbio Mpenza and the injured Nicholas Frutos. Standard's other star player is Oguchi Onyewu, a versatile player from the USA who is strong at the back.