Wide open race in Bulgaria

Plovdiv prize
PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv, the surprise first-time champions, have already won another piece of silverware after beating PFC Litex Lovech in the Super Cup, and a quiet summer on the transfer front has ensured most sides enter the campaign largely unchanged.

Four-horse race
But whereas only PFC Levski Sofia seriously pushed Loko Plovdiv last time round, the champions should have a much rougher ride this season as Litex and PFC CSKA Sofia join the championship charge.

Strong core
Loko Plovdiv coach Edouard Eranossian has done well to keep his squad intact over the summer. F.Y.R. Macedonia midfield player Vance Trajanov is the most significant departure, but Martin Kamburov, the league's top scorer last term, and Bulgarian international defenders Vladimir Ivanov and Kiril Kotev remain.

Kolev arrival
Eranossian has even strengthened his rearguard with the return of national-team goalkeeper Stoian Kolev from CSKA in a €200,000 deal. A narrow UEFA Champions League defeat by Club Brugge KV coupled with their 1-0 Super Cup win against Litex suggests they have lost none of their competitive edge.

Litex tipped
Despite that loss, Litex possess perhaps the most balanced squad and are many pundits' title favourites. New coach Stoicho Mladenov has lost internationals Zdravko Zdravkov and Zoran Jankovic, but has a secret weapon in Brazilian striker Joãozinho, who has scored freely in pre-season.

Bandalovski impresses
Ivan Bandalovski has also impressed since Litex signed the 18-year-old right-back from Levski, and Mladenov can count on midfield player Kiril Nikolov, back from a six-month loan to Portugal's SC Braga, and ex-international striker Hristo Yovov who has recovered from injury.

Youth faith
Levski have a new coach as well in Stanimir Stoilov, who has decided to give youth a chance as he rebuilds the squad following a summer clearout of the more experienced players.

Strong selection
Changes, too, at CSKA where Ferario Spasov has extended his contract and presides over a strong group of players. Slovakian defender Radoslav Zabavnik, Czech defender Robert Caha, Senegalese midfield player Mansur Ayanda and former captain Adalbert Zafirov are among Spasov's new recruits.

All change
However, Stoian Kolev, João Carlos, Georgi Antonov, João Paolo Brito and Altin Haxhi have all been released following last season's disappointing third-place finish.

Dark horse
Elsewhere, PFC Slavia Sofia's Serbian coach Ratko Dostanic will put faith in the rising stars of Bulgarian football, Chavdar Yankov and Blagoy Georgiev, to earn his side a European place, while PFC Naftex Burgas, PFC Cherno More Varna, PFC Marek Dupnitza, PFC Lokomotiv Sofia and promoted PFC Beroe Stara Zagora should battle it out in mid-table.

Relegation battle
PFC Rodopa Smolian, PFC Belasitza Petrich, PFC Vidima Rakovski, PFC Pirin Blagoevgrad, PFC Spartak Varna and PFC Nesebar will be happy to avoid relegation, the latter two in particular after appointing new coaches just days before the big kick-off.