Manchester City travel to Sicily to take on Serie B side Palermo at the Stadio Renzo Barbera in what will be their only pre-season outing before the Premier League kicks off. Saturday's chance is the final chance for both teams to fine-tune tactics and test fitness ahead of their respective campaigns.
Palermo have been solid in preseason, winning all five of their matches, including a 3-2 Annecy in their final warm-up fixture. Manager Filippo Inzaghi will be pleased with the results, having struggled at the back end of last season, failing to win four of their final five matches.
The Rosanero begin their campaign in the 2025/26 season with a Coppa Italia trip to Cremonense. They will view Saturday’s chance to build some confidence heading into that game and their promotion quest for the new season.
Palermo begin their 2025-26 season next weekend against Cremonese in the Coppa Italia, and the Rosanero will be feeling confident heading into this fixture after edging French side Annecy 3-2 in their last friendly.
Filippo Inzaghi’s men are flying in pre-season, riding a five-game winning streak during which they’ve scored 22 and conceded just three. That said, their home form hasn’t been as convincing, with just two wins in their last five at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.
Manchester City, meanwhile, haven’t played since their shocking 4-3 loss to Saudi side Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup back in July. Prior to that result, they had picked up five straight victories, stretching back to last season.
The Citizens did their transfer business early in the window and have already given their new players a taste of competitive action at the Club World Cup. Manager Pep Guardiola will aim to properly iron out the rough edges ahead of the season opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
How the bookies view it:
There are currently no odds available for this match.
Head to head: No past history
This will be the first meeting between these two teams.
Players to watch: Haaland to shine in Sicily
Erling Haaland looks set to make a statement in City’s only preseason following a 34-goal campaign and three goals in four Club World Cup matches. With the likes of Omar Marmouch and Phil Foden also expected to feature, the Citizens could be backed to produce over 1.5 goals.
For Palermo, Matteo Brunori could prove the difference, having scored nine times in Serie B last season. Joel Pohjanpalo is also sharp going forward, having scored in the win over Annecy, could combine with Brunori to produce over 1.5 goals for the Italians.
Probable line-ups
Senegal international Alfred Gomis is expected to start in goal, with Pietro Ceccaroni and Patryk Peda forming the centre-back partnership. Filippo Ranocchia and Jacopo Segre should slot into midfield, while the attacking trio could consist of Brunori, Emmanuel Gyasi, and Joel Pohjanpalo.
Ederson should take his place between the sticks for Guardiola’s side, while new signing Rayan Ait-Nouri may get a chance to impress at left-back. Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol are likely to be paired in central defence. Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders may start in midfield, with Phil Foden and Haaland leading the line.
Palermo: Gomis; Pierozzi, Ceccaroni, Peda, Augello; Ranocchia, Segre, Vasic; Gyasi, Brunori, Pohjanpalo
Manchester City: Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, Reijnders, Silva; Marmoush, Haaland, Foden
Anything else catch the eye?
Manchester City’s last three matches have produced over 3.5 goals. Both teams have also scored in their last two matches.
The Citizens have scored in both halves in their last three matches. Given the minimal odds for a straight victory for Manchester City, a win and over 3.5 goals offers more value.
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