It would be easy to slip into a bit of a World Cup hangover, especially when you take a moment to think back on just how good the 2018 version actually was. Fortunately, soccer doesn’t really take any time off, as teams all across Europe are now starting to prepare or the season ahead. The US may have missed out on the World Cup, but fans of the sport will once again be in for a treat, as the best teams in the world will be heading stateside to take part in the 2018 International Champions Cup.
While this tournament, which will also have games in Singapore and Europe, is more about getting ready for the serious battles ahead, it’s still an incredibly competitive and interesting tournament for the soccer betting enthusiasts, with 18 teams taking part this year. Let’s take a quick look at the teams involved.
2018 International Champions Cup Betting Preview
This time last year, Keylor Navas was producing saves like this at the @IntChampionsCup
But will he be Real Madrid’s #1 this season? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/JzRls1TBrP — Goal (@goal) 17 de julio de 2018
Real Madrid
The Spanish giants will head to the US without Cristiano Ronaldo in the line-up, as he has now moved on to Juventus. It will certainly be a new look for Madrid, and they will use these games to try and put together a system that will work without the man who led them to so many successful seasons.Tottenham Hotspur
We may not see much of World Cup Golden Boot winner Harry Kane, as he will have a few extra weeks off before returning to training.Juventus
It is going to be rather odd to see CR7 in a Juventus jersey, and I am sure we are all looking ahead to the August 4 game against Real Madrid, assuming he plays.AC Milan
They may not be as dominant as they were in the past, but the Italians are still a big draw. The man to watch here is goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, a 19-year-old who is the future of the Italian national side.Manchester City
The English champions will open the tournament on July 20 against Borussia Dortmund but may be missing a lot of their stars. Many of whom are still on a break after the World Cup.Liverpool
Besides Mo Salah, Liverpool will be showing off some of their new signings, with Swiss star Xerdan Shaqiri their latest acquisition.Barcelona
The Spanish side is the defending champions of this tournament, and it will be Leo Messi who will be getting all the attention here.Manchester United
Very few teams in the world can match the support that United have globally, and they are sure to be one of the biggest draws in this event.Bayern Munich
The German champions are a team filled with stars at every position, but many of them will feel they have something to prove after a poor World Cup showing.Chelsea
A new manager will be in charge of the Blues, while there are also going to be some new faces on the field, too. This will be very much a team-building exercise for Chelsea.PSG
Not sure how much action he will see here, but Neymar is another player who will feel as though he has something to prove after being much maligned for his theatrics with Brazil at the World Cup.Arsenal
Yet another team heading in a new direction after the departure of manager Arsene Wenger at the end of last season.
