Premier League new boys Sheffield United and top La Liga outfit Real Betis (Sevilla) will be in action at the Algarve Stadium in Faro on Friday, July 12 – kick-off at 8pm.
Sheffield United, who will compete in the English Premier League for the first time since 2007, have recently signed England international Phil Jagielka from Everton. The central midfielder started his career at Bramall Lane and has been capped 40 times since his debut in 2008. He was included in the England squads at UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Sheffield United are still in discussions with Manchester United over securing goalkeeper Dean Henderson on loan again.
The Blades manager Chris Wilder is one of a select band of managers to win promotion to all four of England’s top divisions and was awarded the prestigious League Managers Association’s Manager of the Year Award, ahead of the likes of Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino.
Wilder is joined in the Premier League by fellow Englishmen Eddie Howe (Bournemouth), Sean Dyche (Burnley), Dean Smith (Aston Villa), Graham Potter (Brighton & Hove), Roy Hodgson (Crystal Palace) and now Frank Lampard (Chelsea).
Real Betis will provide stiff opposition having finished 10th in La Liga last season and with the famous scalp of Real Madrid following a 2-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in May.
Admission: adults €15 and children, aged 12 and under, €10 – tickets available on the day of the match at the Stadium ticket office from 3pm.
By CHRIS WRIGHT
Photo: Phil Jagielka
