As Premier League teams prepare for the fast-approaching 2026-27 season, they've been trudging their way through their customary pre-season friendlies.

This year, however, many of these matches have been anything but friendly, featuring a litany of questionable challenges, red cards and mass confrontations.

Daily Mail Sport takes a look at those in question....

Spurs vs Getafe

Sandro Tonali wasted no time demonstrating his competitive spirit in a Spurs shirt during their behind-closed-doors match against Spanish side Getafe.

The Italian, signed in a blockbuster £100m deal from Newcastle this summer, reacted furiously following a late challenge by Getafe's defensive midfielder Mario Martin. Tonali responded to his counterpart's short-sighted attempt at playing the ball by menacingly stalking him up the pitch before landing a few ill-tempered jabs to his chest.

A small scuffle ensued which was quickly broken up by Tottenham stalwart Ben Davies and Tonali's fellow new signings Andrew Robertson and Jan Paul van Hecke.

Valencia vs Newcastle

Anthony Elanga's pre-season preparations were cut brutally short when the winger was carried off on a stretcher following a terrible challenge from Valencia captain Jose Gaya.

The Spaniard was immediately sent off following the challenge, which sparked a mass confrontation between both sets of players. Elanga was left visibly distressed as he was carried off the pitch, though new boss Matthias Jaissle later provided some relief by confirming that his injury is not quite as serious as first thought.

Following a year in which the majority of the Magpies' star players have been poached, many Newcastle fans are looking to the likes of Elanga to step up as they seek to improve on a dismal 12th place finish last season.

Johor Darul Ta'zim v Chelsea

Chelsea's Far East tour descended into chaos in Malaysia after striker Liam Delap fell victim to a horror challenge at the behest of Johor Darul Ta'zim defender Antonio Cristian.

In a game with no shortage of shirt pulling, nasty challenges and heated arguments, it was the Spanish defender's reckless attempt to play the ball through his man that saw it reach a boiling point.

Following the full-time whistle, Johor Darul Ta'zim players refused to participate in the penalty shootout that has become customary at the end of many pre-season matches this summer, resulting in a confusing end to a game which featured six goals and seven yellow cards.

Even Chelsea's set-piece coach Austin MacPhee appeared to want a piece of the action, pictured getting into a heated confrontation with a member of the Johor Darul Ta'zim bench as they headed down the tunnel.

Real Betis vs Bournemouth

Bournemouth star Alex Scott and former Manchester United man Antony were both sent off during the Premier League side's clash with Real Betis in southern Spain.

The incident, which began when Colombian midfielder Nelson Deossa rifled the ball at Bournemouth's Bafode Diakite, saw players from both sides embroiled in a fierce confrontation. The confrontation quickly escalated before Scott and Antony were dismissed for aggressively shoving one another. Truthfully, the actions of the two players, who both arrived late to the brawl, were no more egregious than those of their team-mates.

Cherries fans will, however, be thankful that preseason red cards do not constitute a ban in competitive matches and the attacking midfielder will be available to play in Bournemouth's opening Premier League fixture against Manchester City.

Malaga vs Fulham

It was new manager Alvaro Arbeloa who saw red in Fulham's penultimate pre-season match on Wednesday.

Following the awarding of a contentious 89th-minute penalty for the hosts, Arbeloa was pictured shaking his head in disbelief on the bench, a stark contrast to the incredulous smiles sported by his players. The Spaniard stormed onto the pitch following the full-time whistle, furiously protested the referee's decision and was promptly dismissed. The Fulham players followed their manager into the dressing room, refusing to take part in the expected penalty shootout and forfeiting the match.

Arriving after a turbulent stint at Real Madrid last season, the Spaniard has seemingly arrived in west London with a point to prove, with many questioning if such an inexperienced manager is the right choice following the high-profile departures of Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez.

Liverpool vs Wrexham

Liverpool's stateside pre-season clash with Wrexham devolved into a domestic as several senior players clashed over who should've been given the captain's armband following stand-in skipper Dominik Szoboszlai's substitution.

In the moments immediately following the full-time whistle, Curtis Jones, who is wanted by Inter Milan, ran up to confront Szoboslai about his decision to hand the armband to Kostas Tsimikas. Tensions flared between the trio, culminating in the Greek full-back throwing the armband to the ground in dramatic fashion.

With Liverpool looking to recover from a disappointing season under Arne Slot, and in the wake of seasoned veterans Mohamed Salah and Robertson's departures, it appears the Reds may have a leadership crisis on their hands.