Hearts vs. Manchester City: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
Manchester City play the second of their pre-season encounters against Hearts on Friday having suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat to Dundee on Sunday.
The Premier League champions obviously had a weakened side at Dens Park with many of their players having been at the World Cup in Brazil, but with the likes of Samir Nasri and Alvaro Negredo taking part, they should have beaten Dundee, per Eurosport:
They will hope to put things right at Tynecastle, their final game before the Sky Blues head off on a tour of the USA where they will take on the likes of Sporting Kansas City and also Liverpool and AC Milan.
Read on for full scheduling, television and live streaming information ahead of Friday's encounter in Edinburgh.
Date: Friday, July 18
Time: 7.30 p.m. BST, 2.30 p.m. ET
TV Info: Live on Premier Sports (UK only, subscription required)
Live Stream: Premier Player (UK only)
Centenary Match
The fixture between Hearts and City has been organised as a celebratory occasion to mark the centenary of the Edinburgh club's Main Stand.
Thus the home side will be looking to repeat the trick that Dundee pulled off and down the English champions in front of their fans.
Hearts—along with city rivals Hibs and Glasgow giants Rangers—will be playing in the Scottish Championship next season and a victory over City would set them up well as they look to gain promotion back up to the top-flight as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, although merely a friendly match and somewhat ceremonial in nature, Manuel Pellegrini will likely be looking for a much improved performance and a win in Scotland on Friday.
City chief executive Ferran Soriano hailed pre-season as a good time to play in front of fans all over the world and their Scottish contingent will no doubt be on show, per the club's website:
"Manchester City are honoured to join with Hearts FC as they celebrate the centenary of their main stand at the Tynecastle Stadium. Pre-season games are very important for the team’s training, but also give a special opportunity to bring City closer to fans wherever they are in the world. Edinburgh shares with Manchester a tradition of great footballing rivalry and we look forward to seeing the fans passion first hand.
"
Two new signings—goalkeeper Willy Caballero and midfielder Fernando—will likely get another run out for City as they look to impress their new boss having both debuted against Dundee per the Premier League:
The likes of Nasri, Aleksander Kolarov, Matija Nastasic, Micah Richards, Jesus Navas and Jack Rodwell should all take to the field also, and with such quality on show, they should overwhelm the home side.
Between now and the start of the Premier League season, City could play up to five matches in the USA as well as the Community Shield against Arsenal on August 10.
In that time, their World Cup players will all return from their holidays and preparations will be meticulous as the Sky Blues look to defend their title.
First however, a match against Hearts and a friendly game which really needs to be won in order for their short trip to Scotland to not be deemed a failure.
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