Man City vs Celtic Prediction: Bhoys to teach Citizens a lesson in Florida Cup

Reigning Premier League title holders Manchester City begin preparations for the 2024/25 campaign by taking on Scottish giants Celtic in a pre-season friendly at the Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill on Wednesday (00:30 BST).

The match doubles up as the Florida Cup, and you can build up to the action by checking out my Man City vs Celtic prediction below.

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Man City named their travelling squad for their trip to the USA last Friday, and there were several names conspicous by their absence.

Kyle Walker, John Stones, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Rodri and Bernardo Silva were among those left out after their exertions at Euro 2024, while Julian Alvarez is with the Argentina U23 team ahead of their participation at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.

Ederson Moraes has been named in the squad after injury ruled him out of competing at Copa America, but the Brazilian is the subject of strong transfer interest from Saudi Arabia and may be left out of Wednesday's game.

Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish headline City's 28-man squad, which features a plethora of young players looking to impress Pep Guardiola.

Kasper Schmeichel is looking to make his Celtic debut against his old side after the Danish goalkeeper joined on a free transfer from Anderlecht earlier this month.

The Bhoys have a player of their own under intense transfer speculation in Matt O'Riley, who has been the subject of a bid from Europa League winners Atalanta, but the 23-year-old midfielder scored twice in a 4-0 victory over DC United on Sunday and looks set to play a part in midweek.

Man City vs Celtic Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Man City vs Celtic page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Man City are 1/1 favourites to win inside regulation time on Wednesday, giving them an implied win probability of 50%, while Celtic are 2/1, or a 33.3% chance, to triumph inside 90 minutes.

The draw, which would send the tie straight to a penalty shootout, can be backed at 13/5.

Over 4.5 total goals @ 5/2

After beginning pre-season with a 1-1 draw against Ayr United, the goals have been flowing for Celtic in the last couple of weeks.

The Hoops beat Queen's Park 6-4 on June 10 before the 4-0 thrashing of DC United in their first fixture stateside on Sunday.

City, meanwhile, are set to play their first game since losing the FA Cup Final to Manchester United just under two months ago.

Guardiola's side made an exciting start to pre-season last year as they beat Yokohama F Marinos 5-3 at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo, and I'm expecting another high-scoring encounter on Wednesday.

With Haaland in the City ranks, and Celtic having scored 10 goals across their last two matches, both sides should be confident of finding the net at the Kenan Memorial Stadium.

As it's a friendly, and City's first one of the summer at that, I'm not expecting Guardiola's side to be at full throttle, and without a host of first-team stars, they are likely to be more vulnerable at the back.

Celtic to win & both teams to score @ 13/2

Guardiola sets such a high standard at City, but even the legendary Spaniard will be able to forgive his players for losing on Wednesday.

As mentioned above, the Citizens have taken a skeleton first-team squad to the USA and they will be heavily reliant on the likes of Haaland and Grealish to provide the experience in midweek.

The duo are unlikely to play any more than 45 minutes, however, meaning the majority of minutes given to City players in North Carolina will be those on the fringes, like Kalvin Phillips, or teenagers.

Celtic have already played three matches this summer and should be well up to speed by now ahead of their competitive campaign kicking off on August 4.

Most of their first-team stars are in the USA and they should be able to overpower a youthful City side, though I do expect a goal or two from the English champions.

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