Soccer Prediction For 8th Thursday, Chelsea VS Bayer Leverkusen
Clash of Titans at the Bridge: Chelsea vs Bayer Leverkusen
A professional look ahead to the pre-season friendly clash on Friday, August 8th, 2025.
Match: Chelsea vs Bayer Leverkusen
Competition: Club Friendly (VisitMalta Weekender)
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
Kick-off: 7:00 PM EST
 Advertisements Chelsea | Match Time & Date: 19:00 08/08/2025 Tips: Over 2.5 |  Advertisements
Bayer Leverkusen |
Match Preview
Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge for the first time since their triumphant FIFA Club World Cup campaign, hosting a revamped Bayer Leverkusen side in a showpiece pre-season friendly. The Blues, under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, are brimming with confidence after a stellar end to last season, securing a fourth-place Premier League finish and capping it with a stunning 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final. With the Premier League season opener against Crystal Palace just over a week away, this match serves as a crucial final preparation.
Bayer Leverkusen arrives in London in a state of transition. After a historic double-winning season, they have seen a significant overhaul, with manager Xabi Alonso departing and several key players, including Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Granit Xhaka, leaving for new challenges.] New head coach Erik ten Hag is tasked with rebuilding the squad and has had a mixed pre-season, starting with a heavy defeat to Flamengo’s U20 side but recovering with three consecutive wins. This fixture against the world champions will be the ultimate test of their progress.
Prediction: Over 2.5
Head-to-Head Meetings
These two clubs have a limited but competitive history. Their only previous official encounters came in the group stage of the 2011-12 UEFA Champions League. The honors were split, with each team winning their home fixture. Chelsea secured a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge, while Leverkusen won 2-1 at the BayArena.
Analysis
Chelsea:
The Blues are on a high, coming into this match on the back of an outstanding run of form that saw them win 14 of their last 16 games in the previous season. Their victory in the Club World Cup was a statement of intent, showcasing a potent attacking style under Maresca. With a host of new, expensive signings like João Pedro, Jamie Gittens, and Jorrel Hato eager to make their home debuts, there is a palpable sense of excitement in West London. Maresca is expected to rotate his squad to build match fitness, but the depth and quality available to him are formidable. Despite their recent success, they will be without the influential Levi Colwill, who is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an ACL injury.
Bayer Leverkusen:
Leverkusen is a team in flux. The departure of their title-winning coach and star players has inevitably weakened them. However, under Erik ten Hag, they are working to establish a new identity. After a shocking 5-1 loss in their pre-season opener, they have shown resilience with victories over Bochum, Fortuna Sittard, and Pisa, scoring seven goals and conceding just one in those three matches. While they have shown they can find the net, their defense remains a work in progress and could be vulnerable against Chelsea’s high-powered attack. This match will be a significant step up in quality for Ten Hag’s new-look side.
Prediction
Straightforward Prediction: Chelsea to Win
Chelsea’s momentum, superior squad depth, and home advantage make them the clear favorites. They are a well-oiled machine under Enzo Maresca, and the confidence from their Club World Cup victory will be sky-high. While Leverkusen are a quality side, they are in a rebuilding phase and have lost the core of their championship-winning team. Expect Chelsea to control the tempo and have too much firepower for the German visitors.
Possible Outcome: Over 2.5 Goals
This has all the makings of an entertaining, high-scoring affair. Chelsea’s attacking philosophy has seen them score 14 goals in their last five competitive matches. Leverkusen, despite their defensive frailties, have also been finding the net regularly in their pre-season games. With both teams likely to feature attacking lineups and make several substitutions, expect an open game with plenty of chances. A 2-2 draw or a 3-1 victory for Chelsea are both plausible scorelines, making the “Over 2.5 Goals” market a compelling option.