The iconic Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana will host a clash of football giants this Saturday as Chelsea and Celtic face off in a pre-season friendly. This marks the third meeting between the two sides, with the previous two encounters occurring in the United States. While the result may not be the primary focus, the game will provide valuable insight into both teams' preparations ahead of the upcoming season.
Chelsea's Line-Up
Chelsea will field a strong starting XI featuring a mix of established and emerging talent.
Goalkeeper: Sanchez
Defence: James (captain), Fofana, Badiashile, Colwill
Midfield: Lavia, Chukwuemeka, Nkunku
Attack: Madueke, Mudryk, Guiu
The Blues' bench boasts further attacking depth, including players like Sterling, Broja, and Chilwell.
Celtic's Starting Eleven
Celtic, meanwhile, will also be looking to test their squad in a competitive environment. Their lineup includes:
Goalkeeper: Schmeichel
Defence: Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor
Midfield: McGregor (captain), OâRiley, Hatate
Attack: Forrest, Maeda, Kyogo
The Hoops have a strong bench with options like Bain, Lagerbielke, and Holm.
Game Details
Date & Time: Saturday, 27 July, 4pm EDT (21.00 BST)
Venue: Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
TV Coverage: ABC (limited markets), ESPN Deportes (USA); none (UK); live streams available elsewhere.
Streaming: ESPN+ (USA); Chelsea TV (international pay-per-view)
A Battle of Styles
The game promises to be an entertaining encounter between two teams with contrasting styles. Chelsea, under their new manager Mauricio Pochettino, will be aiming to showcase their possession-based football, while Celtic's more direct approach will offer a different test.
Fans can look forward to seeing exciting young talents on both sides, as well as the tactical battles between the managers. This summer showdown in the heart of America will be a fascinating glimpse into the respective preparations of these two European giants.