Manchester City vs Celtic Predictions

Manchester City vs Celtic predictions for this pre season clash. Pep Guardiola begins possibly his final pre-season with Manchester City against Celtic in Wednesday’s first summer friendly. Read on for our free match preview and betting tips.

Club Friendlies | Jul 24, 2024 at 12.30am UK at Etihad Stadium

Manchester City vs Celtic Predictions

[wptb id=418307]

Can Celtic Challenge City’s Pre-Season Supremacy?

Kicking off what might be Pep Guardiola’s final pre-season with Manchester City, the English champions are set to face off against Celtic at the Kenan Memorial Stadium in North Carolina. This friendly marks the first summer outing for City, while Celtic arrive buoyed by a recent thrashing of DC United.

Manchester City’s Quest for Another Dominant Season

Guardiola’s tenure at City has been marked by a remarkable accumulation of silverware, including multiple Premier League titles, a Club World Cup, and a UEFA Super Cup. However, repeating their 2023 treble proved elusive last season. Their campaign ended with a disappointing FA Cup final loss to Manchester United and an exit from the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid.

Rumours swirl about Guardiola potentially replacing Gareth Southgate as England’s head coach, suggesting this could be his final season at the Etihad. Despite these speculations, City fans can look forward to another season of Guardiola’s tactical genius as they aim for an unprecedented fifth consecutive Premier League title. Their US tour includes matches against AC Milan, Barcelona, and Chelsea, providing a rigorous pre-season test before the Community Shield clash with Manchester United.

Celtic’s Rebuilding Under Brendan Rodgers

Celtic, perennial champions of the Scottish Premiership, have also experienced managerial upheaval, with Brendan Rodgers returning to replace Ange Postecoglou. Rodgers quickly reestablished his influence, leading Celtic to a Premiership and Scottish Cup double. However, their Champions League campaign was less successful, finishing bottom of their group.

Celtic’s pre-season preparations have been promising, highlighted by a 4-0 victory over DC United. Midfielder Matt O’Riley’s brace in that game demonstrated their attacking potential. Rodgers will be keen to continue this form against City before concluding their pre-season with a match against Chelsea.

Team News and Lineups

City’s squad will be missing several key players due to summer international duties. Julian Alvarez is representing Argentina at the Olympics, while 14 others, including Rodri, Kyle Walker, and Phil Foden, are recuperating from Euro 2024. Guardiola is expected to field a mix of experienced players like Erling Haaland and emerging talents.

Celtic, meanwhile, have a few absentees from their Copa America participants, but players like Anthony Ralston and Callum McGregor featured against DC United. New signing Kasper Schmeichel is also in the squad but did not play in the recent friendly.

Expected Lineups:

Manchester City: Ederson; Lewis, Doyle, Mbete, Wilson-Esbrand; Phillips, Perrone; Bobb, McAtee, Grealish; Haaland

Celtic: Bain; Donovan, Welsh, Scales, Anderson; Hatate, Iwata, O’Riley; Kuhn, Furuhashi, Palma

Tactical Analysis

City’s tactical approach under Guardiola focuses on high possession and intricate passing, aiming to break down defensive setups. Their statistics from last season underscore this strategy: an average of 65.4% possession and 625 accurate passes per game. They are expected to dominate the ball against Celtic, leveraging their superior passing and movement.

Celtic, under Rodgers, will likely adopt a pragmatic approach. Their success in pre-season has been built on a solid defensive foundation and quick transitions. Celtic’s midfield trio, particularly O’Riley, will be pivotal in disrupting City’s rhythm and launching counter-attacks.

Key Player Duels

A crucial battle will be between City’s Haaland and Celtic’s defence, particularly Welsh and Scales. Haaland’s physical presence and finishing ability make him a constant threat, and how Celtic handle him will be crucial to their chances.

In midfield, the duel between City’s Kalvin Phillips and Celtic’s Reo Hatate will be vital. Phillips’ ability to break up play and distribute effectively will be tested against Hatate’s dynamism and creativity.

Gameplay Predictions

City are likely to control possession, pushing Celtic back and probing for openings. Celtic will rely on their defensive organisation and quick breaks, attempting to exploit any gaps left by City’s advancing full-backs.

Areas for Improvement

For City, maintaining focus in defence will be crucial. Their high line and aggressive pressing can leave them vulnerable to counter-attacks. Improving defensive transitions will be key to their success.

Celtic need to enhance their composure in possession against high-pressing teams. Building play under pressure and avoiding cheap turnovers will be essential to their strategy.

Strengths and Weaknesses

City’s strengths lie in their ball retention and attacking depth. Players like Grealish and Haaland can unlock defences with their creativity and finishing. However, their high defensive line can be exploited by pacey counter-attacks.

Celtic’s strength is their defensive solidity and effective counter-attacks, with players like O’Riley and Furuhashi capable of creating and finishing chances. Their weakness lies in handling sustained pressure from high-quality opposition.

Managerial Critique

Guardiola’s tactical acumen is unmatched, but his insistence on high-risk, high-reward strategies can sometimes backfire, particularly in high-stakes matches. His ability to adapt will be tested against varied opposition.

Rodgers, though experienced and tactically astute, faces criticism for his inability to adapt during matches. His Leicester tenure ended poorly, and he must prove he can reinvigorate Celtic on the European stage.

Expected Goals Analysis

City’s expected goals (xG) statistics from last season were impressive, reflecting their attacking dominance. Averaging 2.5 goals per game, their offensive prowess is clear. Defensively, their xG conceded was lower, indicating a strong backline despite occasional lapses.

Celtic’s xG stats show a solid attacking output, particularly in the Scottish Premiership. Their defensive xG is higher, suggesting they concede more chances, a potential vulnerability against City’s relentless attack.

Predictions

Based on the analysis, here are the top predictions for this match:

Best Bet: Manchester City -2 to Win City’s superior squad depth and attacking firepower make them strong favourites. Given Celtic’s defensive vulnerabilities and City’s attacking prowess, a comfortable win by a margin of at least two goals is expected.

Correct Score Prediction: Manchester City 4-1 Celtic City’s attacking strength and Celtic’s defensive frailties suggest a high-scoring game. With Haaland leading the line, City are likely to score multiple goals, while Celtic’s counter-attacking potential could see them netting at least once.

Goalscorer Prediction: Erling Haaland to Score Haaland’s incredible goal-scoring record makes him the obvious choice to find the net. His physicality and clinical finishing will be a constant threat to Celtic’s defence.

Team to Score First: Manchester City Given City’s attacking approach and Celtic’s defensive setup, City are likely to score first. Their high pressing and quick transitions should see them break the deadlock early.

Innovative Market Prediction: Total Corners Over 9.5 Both teams’ attacking styles suggest a high number of corners. City’s dominance in possession and Celtic’s counter-attacking will likely result in multiple corner opportunities, making over 9.5 corners a plausible bet.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter For Exclusive Tips

Want to have exclusive tips from experts tipsters delivered right into your inbox? Subscribe Now To Our Newsletter. We will never spam, we fully respect your privacy!