Pre-season football is close to coming to an end now, with the domestic campaigns across Europe set to begin, and the Premier League in particular just a week away.
Chelsea head into their penultimate pre-season clash this week, welcoming Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen to Stamford Bridge for what is an intriguing contest.
Chelsea are world champions after winning the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup earlier this summer, whilst Leverkusen are adapting to the loss of Xabi Alonso and several key players, with Erik ten Hag now in charge at the BayArena.
The Sporting News has you covered with a full preview and the latest tips and odds for this one, as Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen put the finishing touches on their pre-season preparations.
MORE: Latest betting news and insights from The Sporting News here
Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen Champions League prediction
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea have already had a busy summer and it will interesting to see how the Club World Cup affects them, but the Blues will fancy themselves against a Bayer Leverkusen side embarking upon a new era this season.
Chelsea are viewed as 10/11 favourites with Sky Bet, whilst the draw is at 3/1, with Leverkusen out at 9/5 ahead of their clash in west London on Friday evening.
The Sporting News' Score Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen
- Chelsea are rated as a 52.4% implied chance to beat Bayer Leverkusen by Sky Bet for this pre-season friendly.
- Learn more about reading odds, different types of bets and the best online betting sites through our how to bet on football guide
Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineups
Chelsea predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left)
- Sanchez (GK) — Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella — Lavia, Moises Caicedo — Palmer, Joao Pedro, Neto — Delap
Injured: Badiashile (doubt), Fofana (thigh), Fernandez (doubt, hamstring), Mudryk (suspended, doping)
Suspended: None
Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup (3-5-2, right to left)
- Flekken (GK) — Tapsoba, Quansah, Piero Hincapie — Tella, Andrich, Aleix Garcia, Alex Grimaldo — Adli — Boniface, Schick
Injured: Belocian (doubt, knee), Arthur (doubt, ankle), Terrier (Achilles), Tillman (doubt, strain)
Suspended: None
Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen latest odds, correct score betting
Our 2-1 prediction is at good odds with Bet365, but there are plenty of other possible score lines that are worth looking at to add some value. Here's some of the most likely.
| Chelsea 2-1 | 8/1 |
| Draw 1-1 | 8/1 |
| Draw 2-2 | 11/1 |
| Chelsea 1-0 | 12/1 |
| Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 | 12/1 |
*Click odds to bet direct with our selected partners. Odds correct at time of publish.
Back your correct score pick with Bet365 for £30 in free bets from a £10 stake
Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen team news
- Chelsea will likely be heavily resting and rotating throughout the side. They do have a few injury doubts, too, for the time being, with Enzo Fernandez dealing with a hamstring issue.
- Erik ten Hag is desperately trying to find the right setup this season, after Leverkusen lost several key players, such as Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz, over the summer transfer window.
Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen Bet Builder tips
Our bet builder for this clash has Chelsea to win with Over 2.5 goals at 12/1 with Bet365.
You can check out the latest odds and bet direct with our selected partners using the bet builder tool below.
How to watch Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen: Live stream, TV channel
- Date: Friday, August 8
- Venue: Stamford Bridge, London, England
- Time: 7 p.m. BST
- TV/Stream: Channel 5, DAZN