As the eagerly anticipated start of the new 2024-25 league season approaches, this weekend’s friendly fixtures offer a valuable glimpse into each teams’ preparations and individual players’ form going into the new campaign.
With Europe’s top leagues set to kick off in the coming weeks, clubs will be making their final changes to tactics and systems, while also looking to give their expected starters valuable minutes in preparation for the opening fixture.
In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at a selection of the friendly at 2024 Summer Olympics matches taking place over Saturday and Sunday, picking out our best tips and booking codes:
Bayern Munich vs Tottenham Hotspur
Vincent Kompany appeared to have the perfect start to life as Bayern Munich manager when his side astoundingly won 14-1 against FC Rottach-Egern in their opening pre-season friendly, but the Belgian was hit with a reality check in their second game as they had to come from behind to draw 1-1 with FC Duren in their second outing.
In comparison, Tottenham Hotspur have won five of their six friendlies, only falling to defeat against Newcastle United on penalties in a friendly game played just three days after the season ended.
That form will leave Ange Postecoglou’s side with plenty of confidence heading into this one, while Kompany’s men are still finding their feet under their new boss, leading us to believe this one will end with a Spurs victory.
Tottenham Hotspur to win, 2.75 (at time of writing)
Manchester United vs Liverpool
Manchester United’s pre-season form started in a far-from-ideal fashion, losing 1-0 to Rosenborg in a game that saw their opponents dominate the entirety of the 90 minutes. However, they have been able to bounce back in the following matches defeating Rangers and Real Betis sandwiched around a narrow 2-1 loss to Arsenal.
Man United did continue their horrible luck with injuries from the last campaign in that defeat to the Gunners, losing both Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund for the beginning of the Premier League season.
As for Liverpool, Arne Slot’s men also lost in their first match in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Preston North End, losing 1-0. Slot’s side have similarly played Betis and Arsenal, winning both of those games and he will be hoping to continue their positive run with victories against Man Utd and Sevilla before the season begins with a match against Ipswich Town.
While Man United are at a disadvantage owing to their recent injuries, they will not want to lose pre-season bragging rights to their rivals, suggesting this one will end all square.
Manchester United & Liverpool to draw, 4.05
USA vs Japan
The Women’s Olympic tournament quarter-finals are set to take place on Saturday, and this game serves as one of the standouts of the round, pitting together the winners of Group A against runners-up in Group C.
USA strolled to the top of their group, defeating Zambia and Germany by three-goal margins before beating Australia 2-1, only conceding to their opponents in the 91st minute of that match. Japan, in comparison, narrowly lost to Spain in their opening match before narrowly beating Brazil 2-1 with two 90th-minute goals and dominating Nigeria with a 3-1 win.
We expect this one to be an extremely tight encounter between two top sides, but Japan have already faced a number of the best Women’s teams, while USA have rarely been tested, leading us to believe Japan will win this one.
Japan to win, 4.90 (90 mins only)
Spain vs Colombia
The World champions performed excellently in the group stages to take all nine points from an extremely difficult group that saw them face Japan, Nigeria and Brazil. Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati, two of the best players in the world and certainly key players for this Spain team, have showcased their immense talent in all three games so far and could be key in helping to continue Spain’s march towards the final.
Colombia could be a tricky opponent for Spain with a number of deadly attacking players, but they have struggled in the group stage. They were defeated 3-2 by France in the opening game and also disappointingly lost 1-0 to Canada, only recording a victory against New Zealand to narrowly advance in third place.
Spain are certainly the favourites going into this game, and with their two attacking midfielders likely to have lots of the ball, we expect a comfortable victory for the World champions here.
Spain to win & over 1.5 goals, 1.41
Booking Codes:
6VKSZK2, 6VKT38V – Book Here
