Countdown to kick-off: Five must-watch pre-season friendlies on this weekend | OneFootball

August has arrived and the countdown to the new season is on. Preparations step up this weekend with some high-profile pre-season friendlies. Here are five of the best friendly fixtures to watch this weekend.

Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur - August 1st, 1045 am BST

Chelsea take on Tottenham in the Sydney Super Cup with both teams Down Under as part of their summer schedule. Xabi Alonso's first game in charge of Chelsea ended in a thrilling 6-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers, with Joao Pedro scoring a hat-trick.

Spurs also edged past A-League opposition to reach the final, after beating Sydney FC on penalties. Roberto De Zerbi could handAndy Robertson his full debut, after the Scotland captain featured as a substitute against Sydney.

Manchester City vs Inter Milan - August 1st, 12:30pm BST

Enzo Maresca begins hisManchester City reign this weekend with a glamour tie against Inter Milan.

The 2023 Champions League finalists meet at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong, with both sides set to field unfamiliar lineups, as the bulk of their respective squads are still recovering from World Cup exploits.

The fixture will come too soon for John Stones to feature against his former team, with the England international having completed a free transfer to Inter Milan this week,

Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid - August 1st, 2pm BST

Manchester United head to Stockholm to take on Atletico Madrid this weekend as pre-season preparations continue.

Michael Carrick's side bounced back from defeat to Wrexham to thrash Rosenborg in their second fixture of the summer, and now face a step up in opposition as part of a busy schedule.

Summer signing Andrey Santos should feature, while fellow recruit Youri Tielemans has completed his first session with the sidebut is not in the squad. New number nine Benjamin Sesko remains out, which should offer Joshua Zirkzee another chance to impress, following a stunning solo goal against Rosenborg.

Real Madrid vs Fiorentina - August 1st, 5pm BST

Jose Mourinho's second spell asReal Madrid manager begins against Fiorentina this evening. The Spanish side have been bold this summer, bringing back the two-time Champions League winner as head coach and embarking on a notable recruitment drive.

Signings such as Ibrahima Konate, Bernardo Silva, and Marc Cucurella are not in the squad due to their World Cup schedules, though Denzel Dumfries is included. He'll challenge Trent Alexander-Arnold for the right-back role.

Liverpool vs Leeds United - August 2nd, 9pm BST

Liverpool will aim to complete a flawless pre-season tour of the USA against Leeds United on Sunday evening.

Andoni Iraola has overseenwins over Wrexham and Sunderland during the pre-season tour and will bid to complete a hat-trick of victories in Chicago.

The clash is their last on the road before three Anfield fixtures before the season opener.Leeds have also faced Wrexham and Sunderland in the States, losing to the Welsh outfit and claiming a hard-fought win against the latter.