With all of Europe’s elite inching towards their return next month, clubs from across the continent are desperate to pick up some perfect summer momentum.
Watching the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona travel over to the United States for their summer preparations, European heavyweights are all looking to make a summer statement of intent.
With the El Classico stealing most of Saturday’s headlines in Arlington, we have taken an in-depth look at a pair of intriguing pre-season clashes this weekend.
Celtic vs Wolves
Date: Saturday, July 29th
UK Start Time: 14:00
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Enjoying what was a famous domestic romp last season and retaining their Scottish Premiership crown thanks to a seven-point buffer over historic rivals Rangers, Celtic will certainly be getting a new era underway this time around.
Left heartbroken last month as it was confirmed that Ange Postecoglou was appointed the next Tottenham boss, many were stunned to see Brendan Rodgers return to Glasgow four years after controversially leaving the club for Leicester.
However, while the Scottish giants might already find themselves tipped as a standout contender to defend their domestic crown next season, they will be without one of their most clinical attacking stars hoping forward.
With it announced earlier in the month that Jota had completed a bank-breaking £25million move to the Middle East, fans around Celtic Park are desperate for their side to reinvest some of those funds before the summer transfer window slams shut in under five weeks time.
While the Hoops might have eventually fallen to a stunning 6-4 friendly defeat at the hands of Yokohama earlier in the month, the former Leicester boss has been filled with praise for his squad’s summer run.
Last seen making an immediate return to winning ways as they snatched a last-gasp 1-0 win against G-Osaka, Celtic have lost just one of their four pre-season showdowns and they could be smelling the chance to make a statement when they travel to Dublin on Saturday afternoon.
Although Wolves might have eventually cruised their way to Premier League safety last season, Julen Lopetegui’s men failed to find any kind of stability and there was real speculation that the one-time Real Madrid boss could already be on his way out of Molineux this summer.
Watching defensive talisman Nathan Collins make the move to top-flight rivals Brentford this month in a deal worth £23million, it is no secret that Wolves are dealing with some major finical difficulties behind the scenes.
However, despite limping their way over the Premier League finish line last season, the Midlands-based outfit have claimed a welcomed summer boost.
Along with opening their pre-season preparations with a lively 2-1 win against Guimaraes, Lopetegui’s side were last seen earlier in the week putting in a rugged performance as they edged past Portuguese heavyweights Porto thanks to a 1-0 victory.
Celtic vs Wolves Betting Tip: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/10 with Pribet
Real Madrid vs Barcelona
Date: Saturday, July 29th
UK Start Time: 22:00
Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington
Eventually losing their La Liga crown last season by a 10-point deficit and coming under a huge amount of domestic scrutiny, it is no secret that Real Madrid have their sights set on writing that wrong.
In the midst of what is a translation in the Spanish capital after watching attacking icon Karim Benzema make a blockbuster move to Saudi Arabia this summer, Carlo Ancelotti is trying to take his superstar squad in a more youthful direction.
Breaking the bank as they snapped up England international Jude Bellingham in a deal worth over £100million, Los Blancos could still welcome a certain Kylian Mbappe to Madrid before the summer transfer window slams shut.
Opening their pre-season preparations with an action-packed 3-2 win against AC Milan, Ancelotti’s side should find the mood in their camp at a high.
Picking up a 2-o victory against Premier League giants Manchester United out in the States a few days ago, Madrid will be looking to make another summer statement when they meet their arch-rivals on Saturday night.
Making real La Liga history last season as they got their hands on a first domestic title since 2019, Barcelona have made it clear that they are planning another Spanish romp when the 2023/24 campaign gets underway next month.
However, while Xavi’s side might have gained a string of praise over the past 18 months, the reigning Spanish champions have had a largely low-key summer transfer window amidst their public financial issues.
Welcoming now-former Manchester City superstar Ilkay Gundogan to Catalonia on a free transfer, fans around the Nou Camp are desperate for their side to make up some much-needed funds before the window slams shut.
Last seen a few days ago eventually getting hit with a stunning 5-3 defeat at the hands of a high-flying Arsenal in Los Angeles, it is fair to say that Xavi could have a mild headache over his side’s defensive issues.
Signing off their La Liga romp by losing three of their final four top-flight showdowns, Barca should be worried by their most recent meeting against their bitter Spanish rivals.
Blown away thanks to an infamous 4-0 drumming back on April 5th, Xavi’s men will know that Saturday’s pre-season battle could give us a major insight into how things could unfold next season.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona Betting Tip: Real Madrid win
Best Odds: 11/10 with Olympusbet
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