Manchester City vs Celtic. Prediction and Preview. Probable Lineups, Team News, Stats, and more

Manchester City will face Celtic FC in the Club Friendly match at the Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, USA. The fixture will take place on Wednesday, July 24, beginning at 05:00 IST.

Parimatch News will tell you everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming match.

Manchester City News & Current Form: 

On Wednesday, Manchester City will kick off their summer campaign with a friendly against Celtic, marking the beginning of their American tour. On 28 July, the team will face AC Milan at Yankee Stadium in New York. The Citizens will then play against FC Barcelona at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on 31 July. The tour will conclude with a match against Premier League rivals Chelsea FC on 4 August at the Ohio Stadium.

Upon returning from the trip, City will contest the FA Community Shield, an annual fixture held at Wembley Stadium between the champions of the previous EPL season and the holders of the Emirates FA Cup.

It is worth noting that the side under the mentorship of Pep Guardiola, as in last season’s Premier League, finished the campaign powerfully, remaining unbeaten in 29 domestic matches (25 wins and 4 draws). This level of form from the Citizens has become expected in recent seasons and was pivotal in securing their latest English title, finishing the decisive stretch without dropping a single point. This marked Manchester City’s fourth consecutive title and their sixth in the last seven years.

The team’s last defeat in regular time occurred on 6 December – they have not lost a match in 2024. Even their UEFA Champions League exit to Real Madrid CF came via penalties, with both legs ending in draws (3:3 and 1:1). Although they could not replicate their 2023 treble-winning achievement, they still added the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup to their trophy cabinet. There are rumours that the Spanish specialist might fill the position of England manager in 2025, suggesting that a fifth consecutive Premier League title might not be lifted by Guardiola.

The team’s managerial staff will need to account for the absence of at least 15 international stars who will miss the Citizens’ preseason opener against the Scots in North Carolina.

Among the absentees is Copa America winner Julian Alvarez, currently representing Argentina at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and 14 UEFA Euro 2024 participants – Rodri, Kyle Walker, Phil Foden, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Joao Cancelo, Matheus Nunes, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Mateo Kovacic, and Josko Gvardiol – all still on break.

Kovacic and Gvardiol are expected to join the team in the latter part of the US tour, along with the newly signed Savio, though none of this trio will be available on Wednesday. However, Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland is fit and ready to work, as is Jack Grealish, who has a point to prove to the new England manager after missing out on Euro 2024.

Savio recently transferred from Troyes to join the Manchester City squad

This pair might join youngsters James McAtee and Oscar Bobb in the attacking quartet, while Kalvin Phillips should be given a rare chance to impress in midfield, possibly alongside Maximo Perrone. Due to a shortage of available defenders, Rico Lewis might be the most experienced player in a back four that could also include Luke Mbete, Callum Doyle, and Josh Wilson-Esbrand.

Transfer activity has already begun, with early indications of player movements. For instance, forward Julian Alvarez is considering changes to his club career. Having spent the past two seasons in Manchester, where he only plays a key role when Haaland is injured, the 24-year-old Argentine is evidently dissatisfied with this situation.

Among the clubs interested in the player is PSG, but Manchester City are determined to retain the player. The Citizens have even offered Alvarez an improved contract, which he has declined. It is worth noting that under Pep Guardiola, he has already played 103 matches, scoring 36 goals and providing 18 assists. In two years, the Argentine has won every possible trophy with City, except the English Super Cup.

Additionally, Al-Nassr FC are actively pursuing the transfer of Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson. The Saudi club has made a final offer of €30 million for the Brazilian shot-stopper. Moraes’ contract with the English club runs until 2026. The goalkeeper has been with the Citizens since 2017, playing 332 matches and achieving the treble in the 2022/23 season, winning the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup.

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Celtic News & Current Form: 

The esteemed Scottish club Celtic concluded the past season with a Golden Double, securing both the national championship and the Scottish Cup, twice defeating their arch-rivals, Rangers FC. The team recorded impressive statistics: 95 goals scored and only 30 conceded. Despite the departure of head coach Ange Postecoglou, the club’s trajectory remains unchanged – the Hoops continue to be the strongest club in Scotland. The champions are now gearing up for a new, action-packed season, which includes participation in the revamped Champions League. As part of their preparations, the team has travelled to the USA to play a series of friendly matches. They have already played two friendlies: a draw with Ayr United FC(1:1) and a win against Queen’s Park FC (6:4).

Kasper Schmeichel has already taken the field with his new team, Celtic FC

Their first opponent on American soil was DC United from Washington. Unlike in Europe, the local championship is in full swing, and the home side has not been particularly impressive, making their chances against the Scottish giants minimal. Last season demonstrated that the Striped Ones are capable of achieving excellent results even in European competitions, and their level of play is significantly higher.

The match ended with a convincing victory for the visitors from Scotland. In the 25th minute, Matt O’Riley opened the scoring, showcasing excellent technique and tactical preparation, and he doubled Celtic’s lead in the 32nd minute, further proving his high calibre. In the second half, Michael Johnston extended the lead with a third goal. The final score was set in the 69th minute by James Forrest, making it 0:4.

Celtic displayed their strength and readiness for the new season with a decisive victory. It boosted the confidence of fans, assuring them that the club is prepared for new challenges and can perform admirably in the upcoming European competitions.

Manager Brendan Rodgers utilised his extensive squad during the match, giving opportunities to several players. One such player was Bosun Lawal, who appeared on the field just after the hour mark but was substituted for Francis Turley after just 23 minutes. Lawal appeared frustrated, as he was in good physical condition and seemingly untroubled by injury. It seemed Rodgers replaced him due to a subpar performance, marked by several misplaced passes and an inability to control simple balls, and to give the young Turley a chance.

Some of the club’s summer signings were present in Rodgers’ squad for the match against DC United, including Anthony Ralston, James Forrest, Callum McGregor, and Greg Taylor, although none of them started. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston are still recovering after participating in the Copa America.

In transfer news, Atalanta is showing interest in Celtic midfielder O’Riley. Head coach of Atalanta BC Gian Piero Gasperini sees him as a replacement for Dutchman Teun Koopmeiners, who is close to moving to Juventus FC. The 23-year-old midfielder debuted for the Scottish club in 2022 and has played 121 matches, scored 27 goals, and provided 34 assists. Reportedly, La Dea has made an offer of €17/18 million to the Hoops, but the Scottish side is holding out for more.

Meanwhile, Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has officially joined his new team. The Glasgow club announced on their official website the signing of the goalkeeper on a one-year contract. The Danish national team shot-stopper moved to his new team as a free agent, having previously left RSC Anderlecht. Schmeichel’s statistics from the last Belgian championship season include 31 appearances, 31 goals conceded, and nine clean sheets.

Manchester City form guide: W-W-W-W-W-L

Celtic form guide: W-W-W-D-W-W

Manchester City vs Celtic Head-To-Head Record:

• August 6, 2008: Celtic 1 – 1 Manchester City (International Club Friendly);
• August 8, 2009: Manchester City 2 – 1 Celtic (International Club Friendly);
• September 28, 2016: Celtic 3 – 3 Manchester City (UEFA Champions League);
• December 6, 2016: Manchester City 1 – 1 Celtic (UEFA Champions League).

Manchester City vs Celtic Predicted XI:

Manchester City’s possible starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Lewis, Doyle, Mbete, Wilson-Esbrand; Phillips, Perrone; Bobb, McAtee, Grealish; Haaland.

Celtic’s possible starting lineup (4-3-3): Bain; Donovan, Welsh, Scales, Anderson; Hatate, Iwaka, O’Riley; Kuhn, Furuhashi, Palma.

Statistical preview of the match Manchester City vs Celtic:

• The total value of City’s squad is 1.43 bln euros, while the total of the Scottish squad comes up to 121 mln euros.
• Citizens’ First XI average age is 28.7 years, and Celtic’s First XI average age is 25.3 years.
• Manchester City have only lost twice in 2024 so far – to Real Madrid in the Champions League and to Manchester United FC in the FA Cup final.
• The Scottish team has only suffered one defeat this year – a 2:0 loss against Heart of Midlothian FC.

What has been said before the match:

Kasper Schmeichel, who recently joined Celtic, is thrilled to be part of the club and eager to continue its winning legacy:

“I feel great. It’s been a long journey but it feels good to be here. I’m really happy. I spoke to Joe Hart many times during the time he was here and leading up to his retirement and he only had good things to say.”

“Obviously I started following Celtic as a club when he joined and saw the admiration the fans had for him and he got an incredible send-off and fully deserved it, so they’re big shoes to fill.”

“I played in Scotland many years ago and I know the size of Celtic, but I’ve come off holiday and there were Celtic fans at the hotel that I was staying at. And even when I flew there were Celtic fans on the plane on the way to watch this game so it’s incredible to see, but it just goes to show the size of the club.”

“Trophies! It’s what football is about. Football is about winning and coming to a club with such a rich history of winning, a culture of draws isn’t enough, the only thing that matters is winning.”

“That’s one thing I really love about this club is that mentality – you have to go out and win every competition that you’re in, so I can’t wait to get back to playing football again.”

Brazilian winger Savio, now wearing the jersey of Citizens, about working with Pep in the best team in the world:

“I’m so happy to be joining Manchester City, the Premier League champions and Club World Cup winners. Everyone knows they are the best team in the world right now, so to be here is very exciting for me.

“I’m excited about the chance to work under Pep Guardiola, one of the greatest coaches ever, and someone I know will help me improve even more.”

“I had an amazing time in Spain and I’m looking forward to the new challenge of playing in the Premier League and alongside some of the best players in the world. I can’t wait to meet the fans and my new teammates and hopefully be a part of bringing more success to the City.”

Manchester City vs Celtic Prediction:

Twelve, that’s how many times the overall market squad value of Manchester City is higher than Celtic’s. This gap means that the Sky Blues are favourites even without many key players like Phil Foden or Rodri who are far from ready to play due to fatigue after the intense calendar of last season. The match’s friendly nature means we won’t see a fierce battle. The result does not pressurise the players, but it is a great opportunity for the Manchester team’s reserves to prove themselves to Pep Guardiola. Celtic have had more time for adaptation and have already played a control match winning 4-0, the combative Irish character will help them to give a fight. Relying on the strongest feature of their game, namely their attacking play, the Hoops will go forward and try to convert as much as possible, which could give us a goal-rich scenario. However, it is unlikely that the Green and Whites’ endeavour will be enough to surprise even the experimental squad of the English champions. 

Parimatch News staff prediction:

We say: Manchester City will win and the match total will be over 2.5 – Yes.

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