Cristiano Ronaldo in Singapore and Eden Hazard's Real Madrid debut: friendlies talking points

A look at what to watch for from the weekend's football action involving Europe's biggest sides

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  Newcastle United v West Ham United. Premier League Asia Trophy, Shanghai, Saturday 2pm (UAE time). The first time Steve Bruce, pictured, will be on the touchline since taking over as Newcastle United manager. Newcastle were well beaten 4-0 by Wolves on Wednesday so Newcastle will be simply looking for a better display against a West Ham outfit that impressed in losing to Man City. PA Photo

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  Wolverhampton Wanderers v Man City. Premier League Asia Trophy, Shanghai, Saturday 4.30pm. The Premier League champions came from behind to beat West Ham, with David Silva, pictured, on target. Wolves will be a good workout for Pep Guardiola's side in Shanghai. Wolves will have one eye on preparing for their Europa League campaign. Getty

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  Manchester United v Inter Milan. International Champions Cup, Singapore, Saturday 3.30pm. United come to Singapore having won twice in Australia and with a lot of hype around teenager Mason Greenwood, pictured. Inter are adapting to life under new manager Antonio Conte and this will be a sign of how far both sides are progressing as they look to bring the good times back. Getty

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  Arsenal v Fiorentina. International Champions Cup, Charlotte, Saturday (2am Sunday UAE time). Arsenal fans will look for more inspiration from their youngsters when they take on Serie A side Fiorentina in Charlotte, North Carolina. Eddie Nketiah, pictured, was the match-winner against Bayern Munich on Thursday, while Tyreece John-Jules also shone for the Premier League side. AFP

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  Bayern Munich v Real Madrid. International Champions Cup, Houston, Saturday (4am Sunday UAE time. A first chance for Real Madrid fans to see Eden Hazard, pictured, in action since his summer move from Chelsea. How the Belgian slots in the forward line and Zinedine Zidane's early vision of how the side will operate should be fascinating, especially being against the German champions. AP Photo

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  Juventus v Tottenham Hotspur. International Champions Cup, Singapore, Sunday 3.30pm. Cristiano Ronaldo, pictured, will be the focus of attention for Juventus as the Portuguese forward is set to line-up for the first time since he helped Portugal win the Uefa Nations League in June. It may be too soon for Matthijs de Ligt to join up with his new teammates since joining Ajax, but it will be still a useful exercise for manager Maurizio Sarri seeing his charges in action in Singapore. Tottenham will be familiar foes for Sarri following his fiery reign as Chelsea chief, with Spurs the Uefa Champions League runners-up. EPA

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  Liverpool v Sevilla. Friendly. Boston, Sunday (Monday 2am UAE time). Liverpool begin their United States on Friday against Borussia Dortmund, with Sevilla their next opponents. Jurgen Klopp, pictured, is still without Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Allison but he has always taken an optimistic approach to situations like this and his willingness to give younger players an opportunity should be at hand again here. AFP

We are still a few weeks away from the start of the European football season.

But fear not there is plenty of friendly action this weekend and talking points to watch out for.

Here is a look at some things to keep an eye on.

How will Cristiano Ronaldo and Maurizio Sarri operate together?

To say the new Juventus manager had a turbulent relationship with the players at his previous job at Chelsea would be rather an understatement.

Sarri is now with the Serie A champions and inherits a side led by Ronaldo.

The Portuguese forward had a typically impressive first season with his new club after signing from Juventus last summer.

How he and Sarri will interact should be a fascinating narrative in 2019/20.

An early glimpse should come on Sunday when Juventus face Uefa Champions League runners-up Tottenham Hotspur in Singapore.

Real Madrid's first look at Eden Hazard

Hazard joined Madrid from Chelsea in June and he should make his first appearance in action in Real colours on Saturday against Bayern Munich in Houston.

How Zinedine Zidane uses Hazard, where the Belgian features on the pitch, and the early link-up with his teammates will make for an interesting spectacle.

Madrid had an awful 2018-19 by all accounts and going up against the Bundesliga champions is a good test.

Steve Bruce on the Newcastle touchline

Steve Bruce did not mess around after being appointed Newcastle manager and has flown over to China to oversee Saturday's Premier League Asia Trophy fixture with West Ham United.

Expectations are low, given the side were battered 4-0 by Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday.

Newcastle fans will not expect an incredible turnaround for Saturday's game, but watching how Bruce attempts to alter things, and the personnel on show will be what to watch for.

Check out a guide to the main friendlies this weekend in the gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.