Manresa vs Atlètic Lleida - Friendlies Clubs

A fascinating Friendlies Clubs chapter awaits on August 22, 2026 when Manresa take on Atlètic Lleida at the home ground — two sides with plenty to play for and everything to prove. O'Neill made five changes for Celtic's midweek win at St Johnstone as he rested some key players ahead of Sunday's clash.

Form and standings can only tell part of the story when Manresa and Atlètic Lleida cross paths in the Friendlies Clubs, and pride alone should guarantee a contest. Manresa's recent form is difficult to quantify, but the occasion itself should bring the best out of them. The visitors will back themselves to cause problems and will not make the trip expecting an easy afternoon. Paulo Fonseca's men are still smarting from their Champions League play-off exit but now sit third in the table.

Tactically, the contest promises a fascinating contrast. Manresa will look to impose their style on home soil, while Atlètic Lleida are likely to have ideas of their own about how to gain the upper hand. Andoni Iraola, like Luis Enrique, is a coach who demands that his players press high.

Star players on both sides will be eager to make their mark, and the individual duels across the pitch could go a long way to deciding the outcome. How each side deals with the other's danger men — and who takes their chances when they come — will be central to the outcome. Paris Saint-Germain finally picked up their first win of the Ligue 1 season as Ferran Torres scored the only goal at Brest.

Predictions are tricky when the sides are this evenly matched, and small margins — a moment of quality, a slice of luck — could decide it either way. 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 positions in the Friendlies Clubs table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. It is understood that his next move is most likely to take him abroad - and potentially to the Premier League.