We’re half way through the summer break folks and thoughts turn to the new Premier League campaign and, before then, there are some tasty friendly matches to enjoy as managers across the top flight work night and day to get their squads ready for the 2025/26 season.
I call it a summer break but, of course, it has been anything but for those teams in the Club World Cup and players in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and, by the time the big friendlies kick off, nearly everyone will be back on the training ground.
Let’s take a look at the SBOTOP pick of five friendlies to watch out for between mid July and early August, with the new Premier League campaign kicking off on 15th August, we might learn something here and there.
Arsenal vs Tottenham in Hong Kong July 31st
We all love a North London derby, even when it’s in the Far East, and there’s plenty for the fans in Hong Kong to get excited about when the Gunners and the Whites get it on at the end of the month. Spurs come into the game after ending a 17 year trophy drought by winning the 2025 Europa League, and they have a new manager in Thomas Frank. The former Brentford boss will be busy in the market and Spurs have already converted striker Mathys Tel’s loan into a £30m transfer, as well as signing centre back Kevin Danso from RC Lens.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been looking for a striker since this time last year and they are currently linked with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.
Leeds United vs Manchester United in Stockholm July 19th
Another of England’s most uneasy relationships will be on show a little closer to home when Leeds and Manchester United come face to face in Sweden in two weeks time. Daniel Farke’s team stormed back to the Premier League as Championship champions with a mega haul of 100 points, piping Burnley Scott Parker’s Burnley to the title on goal difference. Leeds have already strengthened with the signing of striker Lukas Nmecha from Wolfsburg and they will try to continue to play positive football at the highest level.
Ruben Amorin’s Red Devils need to pick themselves up from a disastrous campaign, finishing 15th last term; but they have received a huge boost with the big Premier League 2025 news that captain and talisman Bruno Fernandes has turned down a move to the Saudi Pro League.
Newcastle United vs Atletico Madrid August 9th
The Magpies are back in the Champions League again next season after finishing fifth on a frantic final day of the 2024/25 campaign and they will take on Atletico Madrid who finished third in La Liga and are Champions League regulars. Diego Simeone is moving into his 15th campaign as boss of Los Rojiblancos. Meanwhile Eddie Howe has already completed four campaigns with the Magpies, he’s lasted longer than many of us feared under the Saudi ownership and that is testament to how well he and his right hand man Jason Tindall have done in the North East. Last season they delivered the Carabao Cup – a first piece of silverware in 70 years and Newcastle are ready to build on that.
Chelsea vs AC Milan August 10th
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea will host AC Milan as their final warm up game and the Blues fans might see a couple of old boys lining up for I Rossoneri assuming USA star Christian Pulisic is in the squad. The Blues have stabilised under Maresca, finishing in fourth place last term and they have been going well in the 2025 Club World Cup over in the USA. Cole Palmer and new boy Liam Delap will be on show for the Blues while AC Milan, now managed by Max Allegri, will be determined to improve on their eighth placed finish last term. Another former Chelsea man, Ruben Loftus Cheek might appear for the Italians while Rafael Leao is always an exciting player to watch.
Burnley vs Lazio August 9th
The Premier League 2025 betting odds will say that Burnley, along with Leeds United and the third promoted team, Sunderland, will need to be at their very best to survive next season; but you can be sure that Parker’s Burnley will be well organised and fully committed to the cause. And we may get a flavour of what we can expect when they take on Lazio at Turf Moor just before the season starts.
The Clarets have made some exciting signings, including 21 year old forward Loum Tchaouana who has just arrived in East Lancashire…from Lazio, where he played 24 times last season.
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