Arsenal have enjoyed a decent pre-season campaign but face a tough test when taking on Barcelona for the Joan Gamper Trophy at Camp Nou. The Catalan giants have come out on top in this contest for the past six years, scoring 28 times and conceding only twice in those fixtures.
Tottenham are fancied to continue a promising pre-season run of form by beating Inter Milan on home turf in the International Champions Cup. Spurs will have history on their side, having won all three previous meetings with the Nerazzurri in London, including last November’s 1-0 Wembley triumph.
Bayern Munich won three of the first four Audi Cup tournaments and will be looking to make up for a poor showing when it was last held a couple of years ago. Turkish outfit Fenerbahce should receive strong support at the Allianz Arena but look out of their depth at this level, on all known evidence.
Real Madrid have had to endure a very rocky pre-season campaign and look worth taking on against Tottenham at the Audi Cup in Germany. The Whites were thrashed 7-3 by city rivals Atletico in New Jersey on Friday and could still be shell-shocked from that International Champions Cup performance.
Benfica have already claimed two International Champions Cup victories, but AC Milan may now give them a tougher test in Foxborough. The Rossoneri should strip fitter for a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich and Marco Giampaolo will be keen to take something out of this second contest.
Benfica were competitive in last season’s International Champions Cup and got off to a flying start this term when beating Guadalajara 3-0 in California. Fiorentina had previously edged out the Mexican side 2-1 in Illinois, but then had their limitations exposed in a 3-0 Charlotte loss to Arsenal.
Arsenal’s youngsters have exceeded expectations at the International Champions Cup but may be brought back down to earth by Real Madrid. The Whites will have a big following in Washington and could do with a boost in morale after losing to Bayern Munich in their opening contest.
Bayern Munich have the benefit of already playing twice in the International Champions Cup and that can help them see off AC Milan in Kansas City. The German giants lost 2-1 to Arsenal but then improved greatly from that outing when beating Real Madrid 3-1 in front of over 60,000 fans in Houston.
Arsenal and Fiorentina both opened their International Champions Cup campaigns with 2-1 victories and could be evenly matched when they meet in Charlotte. The Gunners got the better of Bayern Munich in Los Angeles, while La Viola came from behind to shade Mexican side Guadalajara.
Bayern Munich should be more fired up than they would be for most pre-season matches when facing Real Madrid in the International Champions Cup. The German giants have been knocked out of the Champions League by their Spanish opponents three times in the last six years.
Arsenal have come under fire from their own supporters but can boost morale with a good effort against Bayern Munich in the International Champions Cup. The Gunners did well in this event 12 months ago and have taken a strong squad to the USA, while their opponents have the look of a team in transition.
Tottenham finished top of the table in last year’s International Champions Cup and can begin the defence of their trophy by edging out Juventus. Spurs beat two Italian teams 12 months ago, brushing aside Roma 4-1 and shading AC Milan 1-0, either side of a 2-2 draw with Barcelona.
Manchester United’s International Champions Cup clash with Inter Milan in Singapore could be a little more spicy than most pre-season fixtures. The Nerazzurri, now managed by former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, have been negotiating a possible transfer swoop for Red Devils striker Romelu Lukaku.
Barcelona paid the price for making wholesale late changes when losing to Roma in the International Champions Cup but can learn their lesson for the clash with AC Milan. The Catalan giants will be keen to end the tournament on a high note and sharpen up ahead of a Spanish Super Cup tussle with Sevilla.