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Chelsea Faces Juventus in Hong Kong Friendly: Team News and Predictions

After a tough loss to Tottenham Hotspur in Australia, Chelsea heads to Hong Kong for a pre-season friendly against Italian powerhouse Juventus at Kai Tak Sports Park on August 5, 2026. Both teams are preparing for the challenges ahead in their respective leagues.

Under new manager Xabi Alonso, Chelsea has been reinforcing experience within a young squad through a busy schedule of friendlies. Veteran forward Danny Welbeck is already part of the squad, with 36-year-old Jordan Henderson expected to join soon. Alongside established signings like Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix, the club also relies on promising talent such as Brazilian teenager Estevao, who scored in the recent defeat to Tottenham following a high-scoring win over Western Sydney Wanderers.

Chelsea plans to be fully prepared for their Premier League opener against Fulham on August 22 but will first complete a rapid tour through East Asia. Their itinerary includes matches against Juventus in Hong Kong, AC Milan in Indonesia, and Johor Darul Ta'zim in Malaysia over eight days.

When these clubs last met in 2021, Chelsea secured a commanding 4-0 victory at Stamford Bridge during the Champions League group stage. Previously, Juventus had won two of three encounters. Neither team will participate in Europe’s premier club competition this season, as both fell short in their domestic campaigns. Juventus settled for Europa League football after finishing outside the top four in Serie A, while Chelsea had a disappointing previous season.

  • Chelsea Pre-season Record: 1 Win, 1 Loss
  • Juventus Pre-season Record: 2 Wins, 1 Draw

Team Updates

Mykhaylo Mudryk recently cleared to play after suspension has joined Chelsea's touring squad along with late arrivals Danny Welbeck, Pedro Neto, and Geovany Quenda. Goalkeeper Mike Penders is available and could challenge Robert Sanchez for a starting spot, while Teddy Sharman-Lowe may be on the bench. After World Cup breaks, Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson missed the Spurs game but might feature against Juventus. Enzo Fernandez, Maxence Lacroix, and Morgan Rogers remain unavailable. With Liam Delap possibly leaving, Kazakh prospect Dastan Satpaev and Joao Pedro, who scored a quick hat-trick recently, are favored to start upfront.

Juventus will miss former Chelsea target Dusan Vlahovic, who left after his contract expired. Arkadiusz Milik, now fit, could spearhead the attack. Coach Luciano Spalletti has added Randal Kolo Muani back to the squad and signed Bosnian talent Kerim Alajbegovic, as well as right-back Zeki Celik from Roma on a free transfer. Jeff Ekhator joined from Genoa but is sidelined with injury, alongside key midfielder Khephren Thuram.

Possible Starting Lineups

  • Chelsea: Sanchez; Palestra, Acheampong, Colwill, Hato; Lavia, Caicedo; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Pedro
  • Juventus: Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Gatti, Kelly; Celik, Locatelli, Luiz, Cambiaso; Zhegrova, Boga; Milik

Prediction

With more first-team players returning, Chelsea should field a stronger side than in earlier friendlies, likely overcoming a modest Juventus squad. Years of mismanagement have left Juventus struggling, while Chelsea under Alonso appears to be taking a steadier route forward.

We think Chelsea will win 3-1 in this encounter.

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