Source: SKY_Sports
On Wembley way
The Wembley Cup sees four world-class teams descend on the home of football - and you can see all of the action live on Sky Sports this weekend.
Champions League winners Barcelona, Scottish giants Celtic, Harry Redknapp's Tottenham and Egyptian champions Al Ahly will all be taking to the famous Wembley turf aiming to lift the coveted trophy.
The action kicks off on Friday with Celtic taking on Al Ahly, before Spurs and Barcelona go head to head.
And then on Sunday the tournament will be decided when Barcelona face Al Ahly and Celtic and Tottenham go head to head in a battle of Britain.
Alan McInally will be in the Sky Sports studio on Friday and he told skysports.com why this tournament will provide plenty of entertainment ahead of the new football season.
And while he can't wait to watch Barcelona on English soil, it's the British sides he's most interested in watching...
"Pre-season tournaments have more of a standing than they ever did, especially in the eyes of fans. Players know they need to put on a show because it costs good money to go to these games, but I don't think the managers will be too concerned about the results. They use these games as a stepping stone towards the new season and will be more concerned about performances. However, football is about entertainment these days and the supporters will demand to be entertained at Wembley this weekend - and I'm sure we will be with Barcelona in town!"
"Barcelona's players are so talented, it doesn't matter who takes to the field at Wembley. I went to the Champions League final against Manchester United and they were quite simply the best. I also covered their home win against Bayern Munich last year and they were sensational that night too. We might as well have gone home at half time! So I'm looking to be entertained by the European champions, but I'm more interested in looking at the teams from this side of the water."
"Celtic haven't played any serious opposition so far this pre-season, so Tony Mowbray will be keen to see what his players deliver at Wembley. I'm delighted Tony got the job and I know his assistant Peter Grant will be even more excited because he's a lifelong Celtic fan. I remember Gordon Strachan saying this is a job you can't turn down and I'm sure that's how Tony feels, regardless of how well he did at West Brom.
"I don't think Celtic's style will change too much under Tony. The very nature of Scottish football dictates that you need to be able to roll your sleeves up and battle when you go somewhere like Dunfermline or Falkirk. They'll be able to play a bit more 'Barcelona football' at Celtic Park but generally it will be horses for courses. Domestically they are looking to win the league and one cup every year, but it's Europe where they will be looking to progress. Strachan has set a marker by taking them to the second stage, so Tony will be looking to do better than that. Playing against teams like Spurs will provide a yardstick for how far his preparations for this season have progresses."
"It's more important than ever for Spurs to start the season well. From Northwich Victoria to Manchester United, every single club wants to start well - but it is especially important to Tottenham. Harry Redknapp will hammer that home in his team talks because they've started so badly in recent years and that has set the tone for disappointing seasons. I think Harry will be looking to win this tournament and prove he has a team that is prepared to finish in that spot that Everton occupied last year. That's what they should be aiming for."
"I don't know much about Al Ahly, but their players will definitely be looking to do well. If somebody has an outstanding tournament, then I'm sure the other three teams will be watching closely. You'd be amazed at how many managers and scouts go out to Africa to look at the top players - so there will be a lot of scouts watching them this weekend. If these players can fare well against big teams like Barcelona on a stage like Wembley then they'll put themselves onto a shopping list. Their manager will want them to play well - but not too well!"
"There's so much to look forward to this weekend. I hope we see Lionel Messi in inspired form. I hope we see a more solid Spurs team with Wilson Palacios in the middle. And I'm hoping to see Celtic defend better than they did in Europe last season. It should be great fun."
