Chelsea vs Bayer Leverkusen: Pre-Season Showdown at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea take on Bayer Leverkusen in a high-profile pre-season friendly at Stamford Bridge. Preview the squad news, key players, and tactical insights ahead of the clash.

LONDON — Chelsea return to the pitch this Friday, August 8, as they host Bayer Leverkusen in a pre-season friendly at Stamford Bridge. The Blues arrive fresh off their FIFA Club World Cup triumph, where they beat Paris Saint-Germain 3–0 in the final. Kick-off is set for 7 pm local time, with fans able to stream the match live for free on DAZN.

TEAM NEWS & LINEUP WATCH

Chelsea

• Manager Enzo Maresca has most of his squad fit and ready. Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo, and Enzo Fernandez are back in training and may feature, while Wesley Fofana continues his recovery from April’s hamstring surgery.
• This fixture may offer the home debut for summer signings like Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, João Pedro, and Liam Delap.

Bayer Leverkusen

• Under new manager Erik ten Hag, Leverkusen are navigating a rebuilding phase after the departures of key players. The rebuild is already showing promise with recent friendly wins against Bochum, Fortuna Sittard, and Pisa.
• No major injury concerns have been reported for their travelling squad.

FORM & CONTEXT

• Chelsea finished 4th in the Premier League last season and clinched the Europa Conference League. They then capped it off with a Club World Cup title.
• Bayer Leverkusen, under Xabi Alonso, enjoyed an unbeaten domestic season, capturing the Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal in 2023–24. However, Alonso’s departure and the change in coaching have brought fresh uncertainty amid squad changes.

HEAD-TO-HEAD & TACTICAL NOTES

• The teams last met in the 2011–12 Champions League group stage, with each side winning at home.
• Chelsea have been consistent in front of goal, scoring in their last five matches and keeping a strong form.
• Leverkusen also bring attacking prowess Patrik Schick has emerged as a leading figure, while new additions like Malik Tillman may make their debuts.

MATCH PREDICTIONS & EXPECTATIONS

• Sportskeeda sees Chelsea as favorites, projecting a 2–1 win for the Blues, with a strong offensive display expected.
• FootballWhispers anticipates a higher-scoring draw, 2–2, noting Leverkusen’s recent ability to consistently find the net and Schick’s scoring form.
• Tips.gg suggests Chelsea hold a 52% chance of winning, with Leverkusen at 25%, and draws at 23%.
• Khel Now supports a Chelsea win, possibly 3–1, and highlights Cole Palmer and Delap as key threats.

WHAT TO WATCH

• Player Debuts: Chelsea’s new signings and returning stars in action.
• Tactical Approach: Will Maresca stick with the freshly confident style from the Club World Cup, and how will Ten Hag’s new-look Leverkusen adapt?
• Goal Output: Expect attacking flair—many predictions center on over 2.5 goals.

SUMMARY