A highly anticipated friendly is set to take place at the Stadio Renzo Barbera as Palermo hosts Premier League champions Manchester City in a final pre-season tune-up before the domestic league campaigns begin. This fixture is a landmark moment for the City Football Group, with the contest in Sicily being the first-ever meeting between the two sister clubs. The match promises to be a fascinating tactical battle, as both teams look to secure a positive result to build confidence for the season ahead.
Palermo, now owned by the City Football Group, will be looking to put on a strong display in front of a capacity crowd. The Rosanero, under the guidance of new manager Filippo Inzaghi, have had a mixed summer and will be eager to give their home supporters something to cheer about. Manchester City, meanwhile, arrives in Italy with their own ambitions after a challenging pre-season. Managed by Pep Guardiola, the team will be looking to fine-tune their squad and integrate new signings ahead of a title defense. This clash promises to be a fascinating contest between two teams with different ambitions but a shared desire for a winning start to their respective leagues.
Match Details
- Competition: Club Friendlies 1 (Anglo Palermitan Trophy)
- Location: Palermo, Italy
- Stadium: Stadio Renzo Barbera
- Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025
- Kick-off Time: 3:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM BST / 9:00 PM CEST
- Referee: N/A (Information not yet announced)
Head-to-Head & Form Guide
This pre-season friendly marks the first-ever meeting between Palermo and Manchester City in the men’s game. Therefore, there is no historical head-to-head record to consider. However, both teams have had a busy summer with a number of pre-season friendlies, with varying results. Both will look to showcase a positive performance before the new season starts.
Palermo:
Palermo comes into this match after a mixed pre-season. The team has shown some promise, with a morale-boosting 3-2 victory against FC Annecy, but has also suffered a narrow defeat in their opening league fixture. The team’s defensive vulnerabilities have been a concern, and they will need to address them against a dangerous Manchester City side. Key players to watch for Palermo include striker Joel Pohjanpalo, who has been in excellent form, and new signing Mattia Bani, who is expected to make his debut. The home side will need to be at their best to secure a positive result.
- August 6, 2025: Palermo 7–1 Torretta (Club Friendly)
- August 2, 2025: Palermo 2–2 Avellino (Club Friendly)
- July 30, 2025: Palermo 3–2 FC Annecy (Club Friendly)
Manchester City:
Manchester City enters the match with a challenging pre-season record, having had a condensed schedule due to the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. The visiting side has a reputation for playing a disciplined and organized style of football, which could pose a significant challenge for the Palermo attack. They will be confident coming into this match and will be looking to secure a crucial away win to build momentum for the start of the Premier League season. Key players for Manchester City include new signings Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders, who have been in excellent form, and star striker Erling Haaland. The team has also been hit with a number of injuries to key players, which may affect their performance.
- August 5, 2025: Manchester City 3–4 Al Hilal SFC (FIFA Club World Cup)
- July 25, 2025: Juventus 2–5 Manchester City (FIFA Club World Cup)
- July 21, 2025: Manchester City 6–0 Al Ain (FIFA Club World Cup)
Tactical Analysis & Key Players
This match is expected to be a fascinating contest between a well-organized and confident Palermo side and a determined Manchester City. Palermo will likely seek to establish a high tempo from the start, utilizing their home advantage and talented squad to control possession and create scoring opportunities. Manchester City will likely be organized and compact, looking to frustrate Palermo and hit them on the counter-attack. The battle in midfield will be crucial, with both teams looking to win the ball and dictate the tempo. The match is poised to be an open and exciting affair with a high potential for goals.
How to Watch Palermo vs. Manchester City on TV, Live Stream
| Country | TV/Live Stream |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | CITY+, NowTV, Sky Sports App, Sky Sports |
| United States | CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, ESPN+, ESPN App |
| Germany | DAZN, OneFootball |
| Canada | DAZN, FuboTV |
In the United Kingdom, this match may be available to watch and stream online live through Sky Sports and the Sky Sports App. In the United States, the match will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network and the Paramount+ App. For other regions, broadcasting information is not yet confirmed. It is also common for some clubs to provide live streams on their official websites or YouTube channels, so it is worth checking those sources.
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
