Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen will face off this Friday, August 8, 2025, at 3:00 PM (Brasília time), in a pre-season friendly at the iconic Stamford Bridge in London, England. The match, marking Chelsea’s return after winning the Club World Cup in July, will be broadcast live in Brazil on the DAZN platform, free for subscribers. Under Enzo Maresca’s leadership, Chelsea is gearing up for their Premier League debut against Crystal Palace on August 17. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen, now managed by Erik ten Hag, uses the game to prepare for the German Cup, starting the following week. The match promises to be a crucial test for both teams, showcasing new signings and tactical strategies. It also revives a historic rivalry between the clubs, who last met in the 2011-12 Champions League.
The friendly comes at a time of renewal for both teams. Chelsea, after a busy transfer window, aims to solidify their squad for the 2025/26 season. Leverkusen, undergoing a rebuild after losing key players and coach Xabi Alonso, looks to adapt to Ten Hag’s philosophy. Expectations are high to see how both sides perform on the pitch.
- Chelsea updates: Potential debuts for Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, and Estevao, plus returns from injury.
- Leverkusen changes: Ten Hag leads his fifth friendly after wins against Bochum, Fortuna, and Pisa.
- Accessible broadcast: The game will be free on DAZN and Channel 5 for UK viewers.
London fans will pack Stamford Bridge to cheer the Blues, while Leverkusen aims to surprise on English soil.
Intense pre-season preparation
Chelsea enters the friendly with high confidence after winning the Club World Cup in July, defeating Paris Saint-Germain in the final. The successful U.S. campaign, led by Enzo Maresca, boosted team morale after finishing fifth in the last Premier League season. With only two pre-season matches due to a tight schedule, this game against Leverkusen is a key chance to test tactics and give new signings game time. Players like Jamie Gittens, from Borussia Dortmund, and Jorrel Hato, ex-Ajax, may debut, while Pedro Neto and João Pedro aim to cement their spots in the attack.
Bayer Leverkusen, meanwhile, is in transition. After a standout Bundesliga season as runners-up, the club lost key players like Florian Wirtz, Jonathan Tah, and Jeremie Frimpong. Erik ten Hag’s arrival marks a new era, with the team aiming to regain its attacking flair. This friendly in London is their fifth of the pre-season, following a tour in Rio de Janeiro and wins against teams like Bochum and Pisa.
- Chelsea rebuilding: Maresca works to integrate young talents into the main squad.
- Leverkusen reshaping: Ten Hag aims to implement a more pragmatic style.
- Recent history: Leverkusen suffered a 4-0 loss to Liverpool in their last England visit.
- Defensive focus: Both teams seek defensive solidity before official competitions.
The full set of Chelsea squad numbers for the 2025/26 campaign is here… 🔢👇
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 8, 2025
Likely lineups and strategies
Chelsea is expected to field a balanced lineup, blending experience and youth. Enzo Maresca, known for his meticulous tactics, will likely start Robert Sanchez in goal, with a backline of Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Marc Cucurella. In midfield, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernández should control the tempo, while Cole Palmer, a Club World Cup standout, will be the creative spark. Up front, Pedro Neto, Jamie Gittens, and João Pedro are tipped to start, bringing speed and finishing power.
Bayer Leverkusen, under Erik ten Hag, is expected to use a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Mark Flekken in goal and a defense led by Edmond Tapsoba and Jarell Quansah. In midfield, Exequiel Palacios and Robert Andrich provide stability, while Alejandro Grimaldo and Arthur exploit the flanks. In attack, Nathan Tella and Malik Tillman support striker Victor Kofane, who aims to establish himself as the main forward.
- Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernández; Neto, Palmer, Gittens; João Pedro.
- Bayer Leverkusen (4-2-3-1): Flekken; Tapsoba, Quansah, Hincapie; Arthur, Palacios, Andrich, Grimaldo; Tella, Tillman; Kofane.
- Key coaches: Maresca aims to solidify his philosophy; Ten Hag seeks to prove himself post-United.
- Players to watch: Cole Palmer (Chelsea) and Nathan Tella (Leverkusen) could decide the game.
Historical context of the matchup
Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen have a history of memorable clashes, especially in the Champions League. The most notable was in 2011-12, when Chelsea won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge during the group stage, a season that ended with their first European title. Since then, the teams have followed different paths, but this Friday’s clash reignites the rivalry. Leverkusen, who haven’t beaten Chelsea in official competitions since 2002, aims to upset the hosts, while the Blues rely on their home advantage to maintain dominance.
Stamford Bridge, with a capacity of around 40,000, is expected to draw a large crowd, fueled by excitement for the new season. Chelsea’s home strength is notable: in the last Premier League, they lost only two of 19 home games, conceding just 18 goals. Leverkusen, despite their Bundesliga success, struggled in away games against English sides, like their recent thrashing by Liverpool at Anfield.
- Last meeting: Chelsea 2-0 Leverkusen, 2011, Champions League.
- Home strength: Chelsea had one of the best home defenses last season.
- Leverkusen’s challenge: Overcoming a poor record on English soil.
- Festive atmosphere: Stamford Bridge expects a packed house for the Blues’ return.
Where and how to watch the game
The friendly will be a highlight for Brazilian fans, who can watch live on DAZN, free for subscribers. In the UK, Channel 5 will air the match from 6:30 PM local time, with pre-game coverage. Chelsea will also provide minute-by-minute updates on their official website and app, with highlights and the full match available post-game. For viewers outside Brazil or the UK, DAZN offers streaming in various countries, except regions like the U.S., Norway, and parts of Asia.
The broadcast’s accessibility reflects the growing popularity of pre-season friendlies, attracting millions of viewers worldwide. The game will also allow fans to assess the impact of new signings and tactical progress before the official season begins.
- Brazil broadcast: DAZN, free for subscribers.
- UK broadcast: Channel 5, from 6:30 PM local time.
- Other options: Chelsea’s official app and website for live updates.
- Global availability: DAZN covers multiple countries, with some regional restrictions.
Expectations for the clash
The Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen friendly is more than a pre-season warm-up. For the Blues, it’s a chance to showcase new talents and solidify the squad for an ambitious season, including the Premier League, Champions League, and other competitions. Maresca, already a Club World Cup winner in his first year, faces pressure to keep Chelsea among Europe’s elite. Fans expect a strong performance, especially after last season’s solid campaign.
For Leverkusen, the match is an opportunity to prove they can reinvent themselves under Erik ten Hag. After a productive pre-season with three consecutive wins, the Germans aim to compete against top-tier opponents, despite losing key players. The Stamford Bridge clash will be a litmus test for their Bundesliga and German Cup ambitions.
- Chelsea’s goals: Fine-tune the squad and give new signings game time.
- Leverkusen’s aim: Show tactical progress under Ten Hag.
- Youth focus: Both teams rely on promising young players.
- Looking ahead: The match prepares both sides for official competitions.
