Yokohama F Marinos vs Manchester City (Pre-Season Friendly): Match Preview, Predicted XI, Team News, Head to Head, How To Watch

Manchester City begin their pre-season period with a clash against Yokohama F. Marinos on Sunday evening, the first of three friendlies as part of a tour of east Asia.

Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning squad play their first game of the 2023/24 season this weekend, kicking off their pre-season tour with a clash against reigning J-League champions Yokohama F. Marinos.

The Japanese club, who are also a part of the City Football Group, are currently second in the J-League, bidding to win the title for a second successive season.

Manchester City will also face Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid during the pre-season tour in the coming weeks, as the Blues prepare for the start of the new campaign next month.

New signing Mateo Kovacic could make his Manchester City debut on Sunday, while Kyle Walker – who has been heavily linked with a potential departure – could also feature for Guardiola’s side.

Joao Cancelo dramatically quit the club after a reported training ground bust-up in January, but could sensationally feature at the Japan National Stadium this weekend, after being included in the touring squad.

Ahead of Manchester City’s return to action, here is everything you need to know about Sunday’s pre-season friendly!

Fixture Details

Yokohama F. Marinos vs Manchester City will take place on Sunday 23rd July at 11:00 BST at the Japan National Stadium.

Team News

Manchester City announced a 25-man travelling squad for the tour of Japan and South Korea on Wednesday.

Kevin De Bruyne is with the first-team squad but isn’t expected to feature, with the Belgian set to miss the start of the season due to the hamstring injury suffered in the UEFA Champions League Final in June.

However, Riyad Mahrez is absent from the squad, as the 32-year-old prepares to finalise a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli.

Predicted XI

Predicted XI: Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Laporte, Gomez; Phillips, Kovacic, Perrone; McAtee, Alvarez, Grealish.

Substitutes: Ortega, Carson, Cancelo, Walker, Akanji, Stones, Ake, Rodri, Bernardo, Foden, Bobb, Palmer, Haaland.

Head to Head

Manchester City have previously played Yokohama F. Marinos once, meeting in 2019, when the Sky Blues last visited east Asia.

City won 3-0, with goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Lukas Nmceha.

How To Watch

Supporters will be able to watch Sunday’s clash live on the City+ app, or for viewers in the United Kingdom the friendly will also be available on Recast.

You can also join Lewis and Jordan from the City Xtra YouTube channel live pre-match, throughout the game and post-match, along with thousands of other Manchester City fans from around the world, with the live watchalong!