Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker:
In what promises to be a heavyweight friendly showdown in the early hours of Wednesday, Manchester City and Barcelona will meet in Orlando.
Manchester City
Starting with Manchester City, making real history last season as they got their hands on a record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title, the Sky Blues are looking once again establish themselves as England’s elite. Suffering just a pair of top-flight defeats last season, Pep Guardiola’s men have continued to gain a fearsome reputation from across the continent. However, suffering FA Cup final heartbreak on May 25th as they fell to a 2-1 loss at the hands of bitter local rivals Manchester United, the former Barcelona boss is calling on his superstar squad to make a summer statement here. Getting their pre-season preparations underway with an action-packed 4-3 defeat against Scottish heavyweights Celtic, Man City have lost back-to-back friendly showdowns over the past week.
Team News
While there might be constant speculation around a big-money move to the Middle East this summer, Brazilian shot-stopper Ederson has been included in City’s squad and will feature between the sticks. Featuring for England’s at this summer’s European Championships, Phil Foden has been given additional time off.
Finding the net in back-to-back friendly matchups over the past week and claiming another Premier League Golden Boot last season, Erling Haaland will spearhead Guardiola’s charge in Florida.
Barcelona
As for Barcelona, eventually finishing 10 points adrift of defending their La Liga crown last season, the Spanish giants are getting a new era underway this summer. Turning to former Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick last month, the Spanish icons have plenty of pressure on their shoulders. However, while arch-rivals Real Madrid might have breezed past them last season, they did sign off the 2023/24 campaign with a real flurry. Including a 2-1 victory away at Sevilla on the final weekend, Barca won all of their final four La Liga showdowns by an aggregate score 9-1. Getting their pre-season preparations underway with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Olot last week, Flick’s new squad will be looking to make a heavyweight statement here.
Team News
Still missing a handful of their first-team superstars, Raphinha and Jules Kounde will join up with the Barcelona squad after this game. Likewise, not travelling over to the United States this summer and handed additional time off, former Manchester City skipper Ilkay Gundogan will not feature in Florida.
All still dealing with respective injury issues, the likes of Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Ronald Araujo and former Brighton loanee Ansu Fati have stayed in Catalonia and are not part of Flick’s squad.
Key Factors to Consider