Many of the top European club sides are currently in the early stages of their pre-season preparations as they gear up for what promises to be another gruelling and competitive 2025/26 campaign.
After a short summer break, players have returned to their clubs and will be enduring a rigorous training programme under the watchful eyes of their managers and fitness coaches as they work to regain sharpness and fitness ahead of the season.
As the beginning of the campaign quickly draws closer, this programme has progressed into competing in pre-season friendlies as they build match sharpness and work on tactics and team chemistry, with several of these clubs embarking on tours around parts of the world as part of their pre-season camps.
This weekend marks a key point in the pre-season calendar, as several high-profile teams are set to play their opening matches or take part in games in the early stages of their pre-season schedules.
Some of these fixtures will see teams from Europe’s biggest leagues go head-to-head, providing fans with a glimpse of what is to come in the months ahead.
Liverpool vs AC Milan – Saturday 26 July, 12:30
Liverpool kick-started their pre-season campaign earlier this month with a dominant 3-1 win over Preston North End, while AC Milan were defeated 1-0 by Arsenal in their first friendly fixture earlier this week.
Fulham vs Nottingham Forest – Saturday 26 July, 20:00
Saturday’s friendly encounter is set to be Fulham’s opening match of their pre-season schedule, while Nottingham Forest have already started their preparations with back-to-back 0-0 draws against Chesterfield and AS Monaco.
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Benfica vs Fenerbahce Istanbul – Saturday 26 July, 20:00
This will be Benfica’s first and only pre-season fixture due to the small window of time ahead of their season beginning following their Club World Cup involvement, while Fenerbahce have won against Portimonense SAD (2-1), Uniao Leiria (2-0) and Al-Ittihad (4-0).
Everton vs Bournemouth – Saturday 26 July, 21:00
Everton have had an underwhelming start to their pre-season fixtures, drawing 1-1 with Accrington Stanley before losing 1-0 to Blackburn Rovers, while Bournemouth began their pre-season with a 2-1 win against Hibernian.
Manchester United vs West Ham United – Sunday 27 July, 00:00
Manchester United’s pre-season started with a difficult 0-0 draw against rivals Leeds United, while West Ham United got off to a winning start as they defeated Grasshopper Club Zurich 3-1.
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Arsenal vs Newcastle United – Sunday 27 July, 12:30
Arsenal managed to defeat AC Milan 1-0 in their opening pre-season friendly – though they were defeated 6-5 in a pre-organised penalty shootout – while Newcastle Utd were humiliated in a 4-0 defeat to Celtic in their first friendly.
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