Best pre-season fixtures to watch in July

A good pre-season usually goes a long way in helping teams have an impressive campaign. Players acclimatise themselves to situations they would face in actual games during this time. 

Pre-season also offers clubs the opportunity to incorporate youngsters into the main team. With stakes significantly lower than the normal season, these players can make mistakes without proving them to be too costly. 

The 2023-24 campaign will start in August, but football fans can also entertain themselves with some exciting pre-season fixtures this July. 

1- Real Madrid vs Barcelona 

Barcelona and Real Madrid share one of the greatest sporting rivalries. The Catalans lifted the La Liga title for the first time since 2019 last term, with Real finishing 10 points behind them in second. 

The two Spanish outfits will return to action this month with a blockbuster El Clasico. 

2- Real Madrid vs Manchester United

When these two sides met each other at the Michigan Stadium in 2014, over 100,000 people turned up. 

Fans are also expected to show up in big numbers this summer when United and Real Madrid will be in contention at the NRG Stadium in Houston on July 26. 

3- Manchester United vs Arsenal

United and Arsenal will enter this preseason on the back of an impressive 2022-23 campaign in the English top-flight. The two sides will face each other at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 22. 

4- Manchester City vs Bayern Munich

Manchester City enjoyed their best ever campaign, completing an incredible treble of trophies. They also defeated Bayern on their way to lifting the Champions League trophy. 

The Bavarians will be looking to perform better this time when they meet the Premier League giants on July 26 at the Japan National Stadium. 

5- Newcastle United vs Chelsea 

Chelsea endured an underwhelming 2022-23 season but they have got rid of many of their unwanted stars and have also added a few quality players during the ongoing English transfer window. 

Mauricio Pochettino’s men will lock horns with Newcastle at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on July 26.