Celtic vs Manchester City team news, predicted XIs and live stream
Premier League champions Manchester City begin their summer schedule with a clash against Scottish champions Celtic in North Carolina in the early hours of Wednesday.
Man City are due to play four matches in the United States over the next few weeks and first up is a tussle with Brendan Rodgers’ side, who kick off their domestic campaign on 4th August.
Celtic have already beaten MLS outfit DC United 4-0 in a warm-up match last week and will hope to earn a statement win over Man City. Pep Guaridola will be without a lot of stars who have been in international action at Euro 2024 and the Copa America this summer.
Celtic can cause unfamiliar Man City problems
With Celtic roughly two weeks ahead of Man City in terms of preparation for the new campaign, the Bhoys may well be sharper than their English opponents in North Carolina and will see this as a great opportunity to earn a statement victory.
Guardiola will use this first pre-season friendly as a chance to blow the cobwebs away, while utilising his vast squad and some talented youngsters too. Plenty of changes are expected throughout the game at the Kenan Memorial Stadium.
Celtic will probably fancy their chances of earning a win in the circumstances. However, it is never easy against Man City, despite the fact the vast majority of their first-team players will be absent.
Following this game, Celtic take on another Premier League giant in Chelsea in Indiana on Saturday. Meanwhile Man City’s US tour continues with a clash against Serie A side AC Milan in New York at the weekend.
Celtic vs Manchester City latest team news
There are several first-teamers in Man City’s touring squad with Ederson, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish, Kalvin Phillips, Oscar Bobb, Rico Lewis and James McAtee all set to be involved on Wednesday.
However, with 14 players unavailable after playing for their countries this summer – including Rodri, Kyle Walker, Phil Foden, John Stones and Kevin De Bruyne – there will be a youthful feel to City’s side.
Academy players like Jacob Wright, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Nico O’Reilly, Jaden Heskey and Callum Doyle will all hope to impress as Guardiola is expected to field two different XIs in each half.
Celtic, on the other hand, do have some of their international stars available as the likes of Anthony Ralston, James Forrest, Callum McGregor and Greg Taylor are all part of Rodgers’ US squad.
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston are yet to join up with the Hoops, though, while recent signing Kasper Schmeichel, who was a key figure in the Denmark side that reached the knockout rounds of Euro 2024, is also yet to link-up with his new side.
Matt O’Riley, who scored twice against DC, and Mikey Johnston and Forrest, who were also on target in the friendly win, are all expected to start for Rodgers’ side.
Celtic vs Manchester City predicted XIs
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Lewis, Doyle, Mbete, Wilson-Esbrand; Phillips, Perrone; Bobb, McAtee, Grealish; Haaland.
Celtic (4-3-3): Bain; Donovan, Welsh, Scales, Anderson; Hatate, Iwaka, O’Riley; Forrest, Furuhashi, Johnston.
How to watch Celtic vs Manchester City live
Celtic vs Manchester City is being played at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
The match kicks off on Wednesday, 24th July, at 12:30am (UK time) and will be streamed live in the UK on CITY+ and Celtic TV.
