14 Pre-Season Friendlies To Watch Today: Full Preview, Predictions

Today’s schedule features 14 high-profile pre-season fixtures involving Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1 clubs. With the new season approaching, the matches offer coaches a final opportunity to assess their squads, test tactical systems and build match fitness.

Below are the 14 pre-season friendlies, preview and predictions

2pm — Chelsea vs Real Sociedad

Chelsea host Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge in their final pre-season fixture.

The match will provide an important test for Chelsea as they continue preparations for the new Premier League campaign. The Blues have undergone significant squad changes and will be looking to build understanding between their established players and new additions.

Real Sociedad should provide a technically strong opponent capable of testing Chelsea’s ability to maintain possession and defend transitions.

Chelsea are expected to control much of the game at home, although Sociedad have enough quality to create problems.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Real Sociedad

Best angle: Chelsea or draw, over 1.5 goals

2:30pm — Borussia Mönchengladbach vs Aston Villa

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Aston Villa travel to Germany to face Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Gladbach have enjoyed an encouraging pre-season and will be keen to maintain their momentum against Premier League opposition.

Villa, meanwhile, will use the game to sharpen their preparations for another demanding Premier League campaign. Unai Emery’s side have considerable attacking quality but could face difficulties against a Gladbach team that is already showing good rhythm.

The game could produce opportunities at both ends.

Prediction: Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-2 Aston Villa

Best angle: Both teams to score

2:30pm — Bayern Munich vs RB Leipzig

Bayern Munich face RB Leipzig in one of the biggest fixtures on the schedule.

The game gives Bayern an opportunity to assess their readiness against one of Germany’s strongest teams. Bayern have already shown attacking promise during pre-season, while Leipzig should provide a considerably tougher examination than lesser opposition.

Bayern’s home advantage and superior squad depth could prove decisive, although Leipzig are capable of making the contest competitive.

Prediction: Bayern Munich 3-1 RB Leipzig

Best angle: Bayern Munich to win

2:30pm — Mainz vs Bournemouth

Bournemouth travel to Germany to take on Mainz in their final preparations for the new season.

The Cherries will be looking to finish pre-season strongly and improve their defensive organisation before returning to competitive action.

Mainz will have home advantage and should be physically prepared for the encounter, but Bournemouth have enough quality to compete.

Prediction: Mainz 1-2 Bournemouth

Best angle: Bournemouth or draw

2:30pm — Union Berlin vs Ipswich Town

Union Berlin welcome Ipswich Town to Germany.

The Bundesliga side will look to use home advantage and their familiarity with the surroundings to control the contest, while Ipswich will see the fixture as a valuable opportunity to test themselves against German opposition.

Union are likely to dominate possession for periods, but Ipswich could threaten on the counter.

Prediction: Union Berlin 2-1 Ipswich Town

Best angle: Union Berlin or draw

3pm — Brentford vs Eintracht Frankfurt

Brentford face Eintracht Frankfurt in a potentially entertaining encounter.

Both teams possess attacking players capable of exploiting spaces, while the fixture should provide a good test of Brentford’s defensive organisation against a Bundesliga opponent.

The final stages of pre-season often encourage coaches to give more minutes to their preferred starting players, which could make this a competitive contest.

Prediction: Brentford 2-2 Eintracht Frankfurt

Best angle: Both teams to score

3pm — Brighton vs Bologna

Brighton host Bologna in a meeting between two technically accomplished sides.

Brighton should enjoy plenty of possession at home, but Bologna’s organised approach could make it difficult for the hosts to create clear chances.

The Premier League side nevertheless have enough attacking quality to edge the contest.

Prediction: Brighton 2-1 Bologna

Best angle: Brighton or draw

3pm — Everton vs Lille

Everton take on Lille at home in what should be an important final test before the new campaign.

Lille’s technical quality and ability to transition quickly could expose Everton if they commit too many players forward.

Everton, however, should benefit from playing in front of their home supporters and are unlikely to allow Lille to dominate.

Prediction: Everton 1-1 Lille

Best angle: Under 3.5 goals

3pm — Leeds United vs Augsburg

Leeds welcome Augsburg to Elland Road.

The game should provide Leeds with a useful examination of their pressing and defensive organisation against a physically strong German opponent.

Leeds are expected to be aggressive at home, while Augsburg could create opportunities when they win possession.

Prediction: Leeds United 2-1 Augsburg

Best angle: Over 1.5 goals

3pm — Newcastle United vs Bayer Leverkusen

Newcastle face Bayer Leverkusen at St James’ Park in one of the most attractive fixtures of the afternoon.

Newcastle will be looking to build momentum before the Premier League season begins, while Leverkusen’s technical quality and European experience make them a serious test.

Both sides have enough attacking talent to find the net, making this one of the fixtures most likely to produce goals.

Prediction: Newcastle United 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen

Best angle: Both teams to score

3pm — Sunderland vs Rennes

Sunderland face French side Rennes at the Stadium of Light.

The fixture represents another opportunity for Sunderland to test themselves against high-level European opposition.

Rennes are likely to pose problems with their pace and technical ability, while Sunderland should benefit from home advantage.

Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Rennes

Best angle: Under 3.5 goals

3pm — Tottenham Hotspur vs Hoffenheim

Tottenham host Hoffenheim in their final pre-season test.

Spurs will be keen to establish their preferred tactical structure before the competitive season begins. Hoffenheim should provide a useful challenge, particularly if Tottenham leave space behind their defence.

Tottenham’s home advantage and greater squad depth make them favourites.

Prediction: Tottenham 2-1 Hoffenheim

Best angle: Tottenham or draw, over 1.5 goals

3:45pm — Manchester United vs AC Milan

Manchester United face AC Milan in one of the standout matches of the day.

The fixture offers United another opportunity to assess their squad before the Premier League season begins. Milan, meanwhile, should provide a strong technical and tactical challenge.

United will want to finish their preparations with a positive result, but Milan have enough quality to punish defensive mistakes.

The match is also intriguing because of the tactical battle between two major European clubs with ambitions of returning to the top of their respective leagues.

Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 AC Milan

Best angle: Manchester United or draw

4pm — Fulham vs Stuttgart

Fulham conclude their pre-season preparations against Stuttgart at Craven Cottage.

Stuttgart’s ability to press and attack quickly could test Fulham’s ability to play out from the back, while Fulham should have enough attacking quality to create chances of their own.

The home advantage gives Fulham a slight edge.

Prediction: Fulham 2-1 Stuttgart

Best angle: Over 1.5 goals

Strongest selections

Chelsea or draw

Bayern Munich to win

Leeds vs Augsburg — over 1.5 goals

Newcastle vs Leverkusen — both teams to score

Tottenham or draw

Manchester United or draw

Fulham vs Stuttgart — over 1.5 goals

Because these are pre-season fixtures, heavy rotation and experimental line-ups can significantly affect results. Goal markets and double-chance selections are therefore generally safer than backing multiple teams to win outright.