Of last season’s relegated teams, Werder Bremen have recent history of winning D5, and look certain to finish in the playoff places, at least.

Saint-Etienne, on the other hand, will play their first ever D5 game tonight. Despite their, history in the higher divisions, they might struggle to make the top ten this season.

Unbelievably, Fiorentina started S7 in D1. Four consecutive relegations later, and they must be hot favourites to reverse their decline and win D4.

Sporting are another team with a terrible recent history, with three consecutive relegations. Hard to see them really challenging this season, but they must surely hope for better this season.

Of last season’s playoff losers, Independiente will look to build on the progress made by previous manager Gregg Robinson, who took them to their highest ever finishes two seasons running.

Another South American club, Flamengo, have been knocking on the D5 promotion door for several seasons. Their all-Brazilian youth policy looks set to finally pay out.

Of the rest, West Ham seem to have ‘settled’ in D5, but they will surely expect a playoff place, at least, this season?

While Dynamo Moskva look too strong not to be challenging for the title they won before in S4.