As we edge closer to the return of the Premier League, the world’s most competitive and widely celebrated football league, we take a closer look at two club friendlies matches involving the two Manchester clubs today. Reigning champion Manchester City is set to kick off against AC Milan, whereas their neighbours and FA Cup winners Manchester United takes on high-flying Arsenal under Mikel Arteta’s management. We have made some early previews for your consideration in both of these matches. Who is in your favour to win? Will it be the Manchester clubs, Arsenal, or AC Milan? Place your bets now at sportsballthai.com for a chance to cash out big time!
Previewing Manchester City vs. AC Milan
Manchester City just won an unprecedented fourth Premier League title in a row, and head coach Pep Guardiola led the team to their first warm-up game, losing 3-4 to Celtic. It was a game that gave young players a lot of chances to play and focused more on their fitness. The team still does not have Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Jeremy Doku, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Julian Alvarez, Bernardo Silva, Manuel Akanji and new winger Savinho. All of these players will need to recover after a hard fought summer tournament in the European Championship and Copa America. However, Mateo Kovacic and Josko Guardiol will join the team after this game.
AC Milan, under new coach Paulo Fonseca, previously went to Austria to train. They played their first warm-up game, drawing 1-1 with Rapid Vienna before flying to the United States. The team is still without new striker Alvaro Morata who is on holiday, but new defender Alex Jimenez is included in the squad. Theo Hernandez, Mike Maignan and Taihani Rynders are also absent.
Predicted lineups
Man City (4-3-3): Stefan Ortega – Rico Lewis, Luke Mbete, Callum Doyle, Josh Wilson-Esbrand – James McCathy, Kalvin Phillips, Maxim Perrone – Oscar Bobb, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish
AC Milan (4-3-3): Marco Sportiello – Davide Calabria, Pierre Kalulu, Fikayo Tomori, Filippo Terracciano – Yunus Musah, Tommaso Pobega, Ruben Loftus-Cheek – Samuel Chukwueze, Luka Jovic, Noah Okafor
Venue: Yankee Stadium, United States with a capacity of 46,537 seats
Scoreline prediction
Man City will focus on regaining their fitness from the last game and will have to focus more on performance and results, while Milan will experiment with tactics and players according to the new coach’s guidelines. It is expected that there is a high chance of a draw.
Verdict: Manchester City held to a 2-2 draw by AC Milan
Previewing Manchester United vs. Arsenal
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners played their first friendly in the United States in a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, winning 5-4 on penalties. Arteta is likely to be more focused on his squad, with the first group to return from Euro 2024 and come off the bench against Bournemouth – Jorginho, Leandro Trossard, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior – all likely to start. Gabriel Jesus is also likely to edge out Eddie Nketiah for the centre-forward position. On the side, Fabio Vieira, who scored the first goal in the game against Bournemouth, and Reiss Nelson are still ready to fight, led by Martin Odegaard, Ben White and Jurrien Timber, while Thomas Partey may have a rest because Jorginho will take his place.
As for Declan Rice, Aaron Ramsdale, Bukayo Saka, David Raya and William Saliba, who finished their national team duties the latest, waiting for their teammates in Europe, they did not travel, but the group of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes traveled to join the team. But it’s too early to be involved in this match.
Manchester United
The Red Devils under coach Erik ten Hag warmed up in Europe for 2 matches, lost to Rosenborg 0-1 before making up for it by defeating Rangers 2-0. Ten Hag led a team of 29 players to travel to the United States on a tour, led by Casemiro, Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount, Andre Onana, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jonny Evans, Amad Diallo, Jadon Sancho, including new defender Leni Yoro who made his debut in the game against Rangers.
In addition, there were players who did not participate in the first 2 warm-up matches, such as Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen, Scott McTominay, Antony, Tom Heaton and Rasmus Hojlund, who just changed to wear number 9 to hunt for goals next season.
But there will be no Joshua Zirkze as another new signing on the European fitness list, along with Altay Bayindir, Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Menu, Luke Shaw, Alejandro Garnacho, Lisandro Martinez and Facundo Pelletri, who have just finished their international duties. Tyrell Malacia also did not travel as he is still recovering, while young striker Joe Hugill The goal scorer against Rangers was recently loaned to Wigan.
Predicted lineups
Arsenal (4-3-3): Karl Hain – Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko – Martin Odegaard, Jorginho, Leandro Trossard – Fabio Vieira, Gabriel Jesus, Reiss Nelson
Man Utd (4-2-3-1): Andre Onana – Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Leni Yoro (Victor Lindelof), Jonny Evans, Sam Murray – Casemiro, Scott McTominay – Amad Diallo, Mason Mount, Marcus Rashford – Ethan Wheatley (Rasmus Hojlund)
Stadium: SoFi Stadium, USA with 70,000 seats
Scoreline prediction
Both teams are still unable to use their full first-team players because they are missing many key players. Arsenal may have a slight advantage in the recent encounters and traveled to tour first, so they can adjust first. However, Manchester United also put in their full effort and are starting to get their key players back. In exchange, there is a high chance that the match will end in a draw.
Verdict: Arsenal draws with Manchester United 1-1.
