The best pre-season games you need to watch this week
- Pre-season is in full swing with teams starting tours overseas
- Premier League's heavy hitters are touring the USA
- Manchester United and Arsenal face off in Los Angeles
The Olympics may be around the corner, but the dust is certainly settling on the summer's international action.
National unity is once again being thrown out of the window in favour of unrelenting tribalism with pre-season starting to get underway. The start of the 2024/25 campaign will emerge in a flash and clubs are now enjoying their summer ventures overseas.
It's a crucial time for managers ahead of the new season and the absence of senior stars from many touring squads will open up doors for youth to shine.
An abundance of pre-season action is on the doorstep and there is a litany of intriguing bouts well worth checking out. Here are four you should be casting an eye on this week.
1. Liverpool vs Real Betis
Date: Saturday 27 July
Kick-off time (BST): 00:30
Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, USA
TV channel/live stream: LFCTV (UK) / ESPN+, fuboTV, ESPN App, ESPN Deportes (US)
Liverpool's pre-season is yet to truly kick into gear, with Jurgen Klopp's successor, Arne Slot, currently working with the same squad (minus a few) the German had at his disposal during his swan song at Anfield.
The Reds are yet to make a signing this summer, so there will be a sense of familiarity in terms of personnel over in the States. However, there will be ample opportunities for Liverpool's revered academy stars to impress and it will certainly be interesting to see how Slot sets his Liverpool side up in their first recognised friendly of the summer against Spanish outfit Real Betis.
It may only be July, but Liverpool's work without the ball will be put to the test by a control-oriented Betis side that will aim to steal territory from the Reds. Mohamed Salah is also fresh and ready to fire in Pittsburgh.
2. Vissel Kobe vs Tottenham
Date: Saturday 27 July
Kick-off time (BST): 11:00
Location: NOEVIR Stadium, Kobe, Japan
TV channel/live stream: SpursPlay (UK) / Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo (US)
The early business Ange Postecoglou hoped for, especially in forward areas, hasn't quite come to fruition, but Tottenham have nonetheless enjoyed a promising start to the summer.
Spurs kicked off their pre-season with two domestic friendly wins over Hearts and Queens Park Rangers. New arrival Archie Gray has started both outings, with Swedish sensation Lucas Bergvall looking bright also.
However, the names that have so far got Lilywhite supporters tweeting profusely are homegrown. Mikey Moore, in particular, is destined for stardom and the free-spirited playmaker should get lots of game time out in Japan and South Korea. Spurs' tour begins on Saturday morning against Vissel Kobe, recently the home of Andres Iniesta.
Viewers are never usually bereft of entertainment watching a Postecoglou-led side.
3. Manchester City vs Milan
Date: Saturday 27 July
Kick-off time (BST): 23:00
Location: Yankee Stadium, New York, USA
TV channel/live stream: Premier Sports 1 (UK) / ESPN+, fuboTVm ESPN App, ESPN, ESPN Deportes (US) / fuboTV (Canada)
Many of City's stars are in need of an extended break and their touring squad is dominated by youth. Some of whom - Oscar Bobb, Rico Lewis and Micah Hamilton - are familiar, but several are new to the senior game.
That inexperience showed in City's first outing of the tour against a Celtic side that are well into their pre-season schedule. Jack Grealish and Bobb impressed while Erling Haaland scored, but Kalvin Phillips endured a wretched night and failed to protect an untested defence. Guardiola's side were beaten 4-3.
However, this fixture is not merely worth tuning into for City's young guns. They're facing a Milan team in New York with a new manager at the helm and there will be interest surrounding the start of Paulo Fonseca's tenure upon his return to Italy. A possession-heavy coach in need of rejuvenating a Milan outfit that went stale under Stefano Pioli, this is a big summer for Fonseca and Saturday's game represents a huge test for both teams.
4. Arsenal vs Manchester United
Date: Sunday 28 July
Kick-off time (BST): 01:00
Location: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, USA
TV channel/live stream: arsenal.com (UK) / ESPN+, ESPN App (US)
The Social Media Derby takes place in the States for the second consecutive summer, although Arsenal and Manchester United are heading west side on this occasion.
The imperious SoFi Stadium plays host to this Saturday night/Sunday morning fixture between two bitter Premier League rivals. United's victory over the Gunners last summer didn't exactly point towards what eventually came in 2023/24 as Arsenal finished 29 points clear having completed the double over the Red Devils.
This is the time for Mikel Arteta to experiment, although a lack of summer activity means the Spaniard will have similar faces to tinker with. Erik ten Hag, meanwhile, has been a busy boy already. United have played two pre-season outings, with recent arrival Leny Yoro impressing on his non-competitive debut against Rangers.
The French defender is one of several players to keep an eye on in LA.
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