Vissel Kobe will take on Barcelona on Sunday, 27 July, in the Spanish champions' first pre-season friendly ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Hansi Flick's men are bidding to retain their La Liga title this season, and to get off to the quickest start possible, they will want to make their most of their pre-season fixtures.
Their opponents on Sunday, Vissel Kobe, should provide them with a tough test as they are midway through their domestic season.
As part of our list of club friendly betting tips, check out our Vissel Kobe vs Barcelona prediction below.
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Vissel Kobe vs Barcelona prediction: Barca to start in style
Key Stats
- Barcelona have scored an average of three goals per match across their last five matches.
- Barcelona have scored three or more goals in three of their last five matches.
- Lamine Yamal has scored five goals in his last six matches for club and country.
Correct score prediction: Vissel Kobe 1-3 Barcelona
Vissel Kobe are currently leading the way in the J League, so this isn't a case of Barcelona just turning up and rolling them over, especially as it is the Catalans' first outing of the season. However, the hosts aren't used to facing the quality that Barcelona has all over the park, and the jump in quality could take them by surprise.
Pre-game odds and win probability: No odds available
- HOME: N/A
- DRAW: N/A
- AWAY: N/A
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
There are currently no odds available for the match between Vissel Kobe and Barcelona. We will update the page once they are released. In the meantime, feel free to check out our dedicated Football Betting Tips Today page for other tips over the next 24 hours.
Most recent H2Hs: A third meeting in six years
Although these teams compete on completely different continents, this will be the third time that they have played against each other in a friendly since 2019. Barcelona have won both of the previous two clashes, with both matches finishing 2-0. In the most recent clash in 2023, the two goals were scored by Franck Kessie and Eric Garcia.
Elite Club Friendlies 06/06/23
Vissel Kobe
Barcelona
Elite Club Friendlies 27/07/19
Vissel Kobe
Barcelona
Vissel Kobe preview: An interesting position to be in
Vissel Kobe don't return to competitive action until the beginning of August, so there isn't a reason for them to rotate too heavily here, particularly as the entire squad will want to test themselves against Barcelona.
Predicted lineup: Maekawa (GK), Sakai, Yamakawa, Thuler, Nagato, Ogihara, Ideguchi, Miyashiro, Erik, Sasaki, Hirose
Japan J-League 10/05/25
L
FC Tokyo
1
Vissel Kobe
0
Japan J-League 06/05/25
L
Cerezo Osaka
3
Vissel Kobe
1
Japan J-League 03/05/25
W
Fagiano Okayama
0
Vissel Kobe
2
Japan J-League 20/04/25
W
Machida Zelvia
0
Vissel Kobe
1
Japan J-League 16/04/25
W
Kawasaki Frontale
1
Vissel Kobe
2
Barcelona preview: A debut for Rashford?
Marcus Rashford secured his dream move to Barcelona earlier this week, and he has travelled with his new teammates to Japan for this fixture. He isn't the only new signing who could make his debut on Sunday with goalkeeper, Joan Garcia, also expected to start the match. Marc-Andre ter Stegen has stayed at home ahead of a back operation
Predicted lineup: Garcia (GK), Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde, Pedri, De Jong, Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha, Lewandowski
England Championship 13/05/25
L
Coventry
1
Sunderland
0
England Championship 09/05/25
W
Coventry
1
Sunderland
2
England Championship 03/05/25
L
QPR
1
Sunderland
0
England Championship 26/04/25
L
Oxford Utd
2
Sunderland
0
England Championship 21/04/25
L
Blackburn
1
Sunderland
0
Player to watch: Raphinha
If there is one player in the Barcelona squad who might be a little confused about the signing of Marcus Rashford, it will be Raphinha. The Brazilian plays in Rashford's favoured position on the left wing and had an incredible season in 2024/25, scoring 34 goals and providing 25 assists in all competitions. Surely Rashford isn't coming to take his spot in the starting XI?