Premier League pre-season preparations intensify this weekend with a schedule of at least nine confirmed friendly matches. While some clubs may arrange additional private, behind-closed-doors fixtures, the public schedule features several high-profile encounters and key storylines to watch.
Saturday’s Confirmed Pre-Season Friendlies (BST)
- Burnley vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (Time TBC)
- Bournemouth vs. Bristol City (1:00 PM)
- Leeds United vs. Manchester United (2:00 PM)
- Grasshoppers vs. West Ham United (2:00 PM)
- Celtic vs. Newcastle United (3:00 PM)
- Reading vs. Tottenham Hotspur (3:00 PM)
- Blackburn Rovers vs. Everton (3:00 PM)
- Hansa Rostock vs. Aston Villa (3:00 PM)
- Sevilla vs. Sunderland (8:00 PM)
Key Storylines and Player Watch
Several new signings are poised to make their first appearances. Matheus Cunha could make his Manchester United bow against rivals Leeds United in Stockholm. His integration, particularly regarding a potential share of set-piece duties with Bruno Fernandes, will be a key point of observation.
In Glasgow, Newcastle United’s new winger Anthony Elanga is expected to debut alongside fellow countryman Alexander Isak as the Magpies face Celtic.
The weekend also marks Thomas Frank’s first match as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, who travel to Reading. In his first press conference, Frank outlined a clear philosophy: “I want us to be brave. I want us to be very aggressive, and I want to attack. I think brave is absolutely linked in ‘to dare is to do’. If you’re not brave, it’s very, very difficult to achieve anything.”
New signing Mohammed Kudus could feature for Spurs for the first time, with his position in the starting formation yet to be determined. James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski remain unavailable for the match, though Maddison has partially returned to training.
Elsewhere, West Ham United begin their pre-season campaign in Switzerland. Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Everton, and Sunderland will contest their second friendlies and are expected to field stronger squads, with international players returning to the fold after extended summer breaks.
