Pre-Season Friendlies: Man United and Real Madrid to take trophies

MLS All-Stars 2.30 v Tottenham 2.50; The Draw 3.40
Thursday, 02:00
Live on Sky Sports 1

The perception is that MLS is better than ever, with this year's All-Stars roster loaded with the likes of Steven Gerrard, Sebastian Giovinco, Kaka and David Villa. Tottenham could be in trouble then given that less decorated MLS elite sides turned over Chelsea in 2012 and Bayern Munich in 2014.

The All-Stars versus overseas guests format has been in operation for a decade and the hosts have prevailed in six of those ten contests, taking another to penalties.

If you don't think that backing the best of MLS is the way to go, an alternative is counting on goals: the previous five spectacles all soared over 2.5 goals, with four passing 3.5 and two exceeding 4.5.

Best Bet: Back MLS All-Stars to win @ 2.30
Other Recommended Bet: Back over 2.5 goals

Man United 2.26 v Paris St-Germain 3.30; The Draw 3.60
Thursday, 02:05
Live on MUTV

Besides the small detail that two-thirds of the playing staff have changed, this pre-season feels almost identical to the last at Manchester United.

Louis van Gaal is spending more time charming journalists than he is cursing them, he is filling out back pages, Ed Woodward's phone is permanently engaged and the Reds are sticking it to all challengers in the International Champions Cup.

They won the exhibition tournament in the USA last year and a victory over Paris St-Germain will see them retain, having started their defence with triumphs over America (1-0), the San Jose Earthquakes (3-1) and Barcelona (3-1).

Their opponents remain in contention, but put themselves at a considerable disadvantage with a penalty shootout loss to Chelsea over the weekend. As Man United have a six-out-of-seven winning record in the competition, they have to be trusted, especially when available to back above evens.

Recommended Bet: Back Man United to win @ 2.26

Real Madrid 1.53 v AC Milan 7.00; The Draw 4.30
Thursday, 13:00
Live on Sky Sports 1

Real Madrid may actually be even more enamoured with the International Champions Cup than Man United. They won the inaugural instalment in 2013 and love it so much that they entered both the Australian and Chinese editions this year now that it has gone global.

The ten-time European champions won in Australia courtesy of a draw with Roma and 4-1 dismissal of Manchester City and will do likewise in China if they get the better of this encounter after opening with a 3-0 success over Inter.

AC Milan will deny Real if they defeat them either in 90 minutes or on penalties because they too beat the Nerazzurri with a Philippe Mexes wonder strike that was the highlight of pre-season so far.

The Rossoneri didn't score in the first half of either that match or their other glamour friendly against Lyon though, whereas Real led Man City 3-1 and Inter 1-0 at the interval, so punting on Rafael Benitez's men being ahead at the break looks a smart play.

Recommended Bet: Back Real Madrid to be winning at half time @ 2.00