With the return of Europe’s elite now just around the corner, clubs from across the continent are putting together their final pre-season preparations.
Watching a host of European heavyweights all head on respective summer tours in the likes of Asia and the United States, Wednesday offers a string of notable friendly showdowns.
With Arsenal making their final summer appearance before this weekend’s Community Shield event at Wembley, we have taken an in-depth glance at a trio of blockbuster pre-season battles on Wednesday.
AC Milan vs Barcelona
Date: Wednesday, August 2nd
UK Start Time: 04:00
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise
Making real La Liga history last season as they got their hands on a first domestic crown since 2019, Barcelona have certainly done an eye-catching job of not being distracted by the public issues behind the scenes in Catalonia.
With Xavi making it clear that his main priority is simply to mount another genuine title charge next season, the Spanish heavyweights are certainly enduring another rollercoaster summer transfer window.
With it heavily suggested over the past couple of days that attacking talisman Ousmane Dembele will be making the move to PSG before the window slams shut, ex-Manchester City icon Ilkkay Gundogan is the only notable new recruit who has arrived at the Nou Camp so far this summer.
However, laying down what was a stunning pre-season marker out in the United States a few days ago as they claimed a remarkable 3-0 romp against bitter rivals Real Madrid, Xavi’s reigning champions should find the mood in their camp at a summer high.
Shocking almost everyone last season as AC Milan reached the Champions League semi-finals, the Italian giants will be desperate to use their European success as a platform to build on next season.
Eventually cruising their way to another top-four ticket in Serie A, the Rossoneri have also splashed the cash this summer as they welcomed the likes of Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Samuel Chukwueze to the San Siro.
Although Stefano Pioli’s men might have suffered back-to-back friendly defeats at the hands of Real Madrid and historic domestic rivals Juventus over the past week, AC have certainly enjoyed a free-scoring flurry in the final third.
AC Milan vs Barcelona Betting Tip: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 1/2 with BetUS
Liverpool vs Bayern Munich
Date: Wednesday, August 2nd
UK Start Time: 12:30
Venue: National Stadium, Kallang
Enduring what was a public Premier League struggle last season as they missed out on booking a crucial Champions League ticket, Liverpool will know that they face a huge amount of scrutiny next season.
Watching the likes of Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firminho and Fabinho all make their own respective blockbuster moves to Saudi Arabia over the past week, Jurgen Klopp’s side are certainly undergoing a squad overhaul at Anfield.
Already breaking the bank as they welcomed both Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to Merseyside, the former Borussia Dortmund boss has seen his star-studded squad make a real pre-season statement this summer.
Last seen putting in another clinical performance as they claimed a 4-0 romp against Leicester in Kallang, the Reds have remarkably notched a quartet of strikes in each of their three friendly appearances over the past few weeks.
However, meeting a Bayern Munich side that only made more Bundesliga history last season, Klopp’s title hopefuls will know that they face a stern test when they return to the National Stadium on Wednesday lunchtime.
Pouncing on Borussia Dortmund’s infamous collapse back in May as they got their hands on an 11th straight domestic crown, the German icons have endured their own action-packed summer transfer window.
Watching ex-Liverpool superstar Sadio Mane leave the Allianz just 12 months after making the move from Anfield, many around Munich have been frustrated by a lack of arrivals so far this summer.
Nevertheless, opening their pre-season preparations with a famous 27-0 victory against lower-league Rottach-Egern on July 18th, Thomas Tuchel’s squad have continued to hold a fearsome reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third.
Liverpool vs Bayern Munich Betting Tip: Liverpool draw no bet
Best Odds: 1/1 with Pribet
Arsenal vs Monaco
Date: Wednesday, August 2nd
UK Start Time: 18:00
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Missing out on what they would have billed as a golden opportunity to get their hands on a first Premier League crown since 2004 last season, many were wondering if Arsenal would show some signs of a summer hangover.
Eventually falling at the final hurdle and finishing five points adrift of dethroning treble-champions Manchester City, Mikel Arteta’s young squad would have taken away a string of positives after a stunning domestic romp in north London.
Clinching a much-needed Champions League return, the Gunners have also broken the bank this summer as they welcomed the likes of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz across the capital in a pair of deals that were worth over £160million combined.
With their sights firmly set on mounting another genuine Premier League title charge next season, Arsenal have certainly picked up some real momentum this summer.
Signing off their pre-season tour of the USA with an action-packed 5-3 victory against Barcelona, Arteta’s side lost just one of their five friendly showdowns over the past few weeks.
Enduring a nightmare end to the 2022/23 Ligue 1 campaign back in May and eventually free-falling their way out of the Champions League spots, Monaco have certainly faced a real backlash on either side of the summer break.
With it announced that defensive talisman Axel Sisasi is inching towards a move to Chelsea this summer, the French powerhouse are yet to add a single first-team outfield player to their ranks since the transfer window opened up.
Clearly showing signs of a hangover after winning just one of their final seven Ligue 1 appearances last season, Les Monegasques were also last seen over the weekend getting hit with a toothless 1-0 friendly defeat at the hands of Genoa.
Arsenal vs Monaco Betting Tip: Arsenal win
Best Odds: 3/5 with Olympusbet
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