It’s an old friends' reunion in this box office pre-season fixture. FC Seoul hosts Spanish champions Barcelona on Thursday at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in what promises to be an electric friendly.

For Jesse Lingard, who will be reuniting with old pal Rashford, it’s a chance to lead by example. For Hansi Flick, it’s another step toward fine-tuning his title-winning juggernaut.

The two sides meet at very different stages in their seasons. Seoul are midway through a demanding K League 1 campaign. Barcelona are in tour mode but already showing signs of cohesion under Flick’s second pre-season as boss.

🟥🟦 Barcelona have won 4 of their last 5 games.

🔴⚫ FC Seoul have won 3 of their last 4 matches.

♻️ FC Seoul vs Barcelona Key Stats 📊:

📊 Last Meeting: First-ever match between both clubs.

📊 Barcelona beat Vissel Kobe 3-1 in their last match.

📊 Jesse Lingard has 7 goals in K League 1 this season.

📊 Seoul are currently 4th in K League 1.

🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams 🔥:

🔴⚫FC Seoul:

Kim Gi-dong’s side comes into this one with real momentum. A gritty 1-0 win over Daejeon last weekend proved their growing resilience. Jesse Lingard continues to be their star man, netting his seventh league goal with a composed penalty.

Backed by a strong home crowd, they’ll be eager to make life difficult for the Spanish giants. Patryk Klimala remains a doubt, while defender Jun Choi is expected to return after suspension.

🟥🟦 Barcelona:

Hansi Flick’s domestic treble winners are in South Korea with confidence, fresh off a 3-1 win over Vissel Kobe. New signings Joan Garcia, Marcus Rashford, and Roony Bardghji all featured. Bardghji grabbed his first goal for the club.

With fixtures against Daegu and Como still ahead, Flick is likely to rotate again. Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong are in line to start, while Eric Garcia is a doubt due to a leg issue.

👥 Predicted Lineups 👥:

FC Seoul (4-4-2):

Kang (GK); Choi, Al Arab, Kim Ju-sung, Kim Jin-su; Oliveira, Jeong, Hwang, Silva; Lingard, Cho.

Barcelona (4-3-3):

J. Garcia (GK); Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski.

🔥 Matchups & Players to Watch 👀:

🔹 Jesse Lingard vs Rashford – The two former United men go head-to-head.

🔹 Roony Bardghji – Scored his first Barca goal vs Kobe, hungry for more.

🔹 De Jong vs Jeong – Midfield intelligence will shape the tempo.

🔹 Lamine Yamal – Did not impress as he does in the first game, might want to make that right.

💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵:

💵 Barcelona to win – 1.19 ✅

💵 Handicap 3:0 Home – 1.62 ✅

💵 Over 3.5 total goals – 1.60 ✅

This isn't just a runaround. Seoul are using this to test themselves against one of Europe’s most elite teams. For Barcelona, it's not just about fitness—Flick is building on a treble-winning base, with new faces staking claims.

So, who wins? Let us know in the comments below.

 

🔗 You can follow the Arsenal vs Newcastle pre-season friendly here on MSport.

 

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Arsenal and Newcastle United lock horns this Sunday, July 27, at Singapore’s National Stadium in a pre-season friendly that promises Premier League tension in Southeast Asia's heat.

For Arteta, it’s another early test of his reshaped Gunners, while Eddie Howe’s Newcastle chase rhythm after a rocky start.

♻️ Arsenal vs Newcastle Key Stats 📊:

📊 Last Meeting: Arsenal win

📊 Arsenal’s pre-season form: W

📊 Newcastle’s pre-season form: L

📊 Arsenal have won 2 of their last 5 vs Newcastle

📊 Newcastle have won 3 of their last 5 vs Arsenal

📊 None of the last 7 games between them ended in a draw

🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams 🔥:

Arsenal:

Arteta’s side looked sharp in their last outing and will aim to maintain momentum. The Gunners come in buzzing from a win over AC Milan despite a few injury absentees.

Arsenal’s young guns like Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly continue to shine, while Saka remains their prime threat.

Newcastle:

Howe’s men have yet to find their pre-season rhythm and  hope to recover from a humbling 4-0 loss to Celtic.

With Alexander Isak out injured, creative pressure fell heavily on Guimaraes and Elanga. With the Swedish reportedly wanting out of the club, the Magpies must find a way to score without him and also tighten up defensively after their Celtic collapse.

⚔️Head-to-Head⚔️

1️⃣Arsenal 1:0 Newcastle – 18 May, 2025|Premier League, Matchday 37

2️⃣Newcastle 2:0 Arsenal – 05 Feb, 2025|EFL Cup, Semifinals

3️⃣Arsenal 0:2 Newcastle – 07 Jan, 2025|EFL Cup, Semifinals

4️⃣Newcastle 1:0 Arsenal – 02 Nov, 2024|Premier League, Matchday 10

5️⃣Arsenal 4:1 Newcastle – 24 Feb, 2024|Premier League, Matchday 26

👥 Predicted Lineups 👥:

Arsenal (4-3-3):

Raya (GK); White, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Nwaneri, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard

Newcastle (4-3-3):

Pope (GK); Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett; Miley, Guimaraes, Willock; Elanga, Osula, Gordon

🔥 Matchups & Players to Watch 👀:

🔹 Bukayo Saka – Fresh off a winner vs Milan, Saka will look to exploit Newcastle’s full-backs.

🔹 Bruno Guimaraes – With Isak sidelined, he’s the heartbeat of Newcastle’s build-up and counterattacks.

🔹 Declan Rice vs Willock – A midfield duel between two industrious engines.

💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵:

💵 Arsenal Win = 1.56 ✅

💵 Newcastle Win = 5.00 ✅

💵 Draw = 4.20 ✅

💵 Over 3.5 total goals = 1.58 ✅

Injury Concerns 🚑:

Arsenal will be without Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Jurrien Timber. Newcastle misses Alexander Isak.

With both teams testing new combinations and sharpening tactical edges, expect a high-paced, technically crisp encounter under Singapore’s roofed dome.

Arsenal aim to stretch their edge over a Newcastle side still searching for answers. But pre-season brings surprises — this one might be closer than many expect.

 

🔗 You can follow the Arsenal vs Newcastle pre-season friendly here on MSport.

 

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