Curzon Ashton vs Clitheroe - Friendlies Clubs

The history between Curzon Ashton and Clitheroe lends this Friendlies Clubs fixture an extra layer of spice, and when the two walk out at the home ground on July 25, 2026, recent encounters will be on everyone's mind. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Ahead of the first leg of the UEFA Conference League play-off tie against Czech side Jablonec at Ibrox on Thursday, McInnes said: "I said that when I spoke to Lawrence.

There is little to choose between Curzon Ashton and Clitheroe on paper, and the Friendlies Clubs encounter should reflect that balance. Curzon Ashton will be keen to seize the initiative and build some momentum on home soil. The visitors will travel in the hope that a change of scene can spark a turnaround, whatever the form book says. That was the 3-2 loss to Manchester United in January of this year, which ended a 121-match run without letting in three goals.

The tactical battle could prove decisive. Curzon Ashton may lean on their home advantage to dictate the tempo, but Clitheroe have shown they can be dangerous when allowed to play on their own terms. There is interest in adding another forward player who can play in one of those wide No 10 roles behind the striker in the 3-4-2-1 formation that Sage is expected to continue with at Selhurst Park.

Game-changers are scattered across both line-ups, and the contest may well be decided by which side's match-winners deliver on the day. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. United and Chelsea are reportedly set to go head-to-head for Bologna defender Jhon Lucumi.

Without the market to lean on, the contest feels genuinely open — and the outcome may come down to which side handles the occasion better. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 1-1 draw feels like a fitting result. With the standings tight and form on the line, this is a fixture neither side will want to lose. And Fonseca does not place too much weight on the decision of Roberto Martinez to omit him from the World Cup squad in favour of his Benfica team-mate Tomas Araujo.