Verdict: Man Utd not to lose
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: bet365
When the fixture list for the 2016/2017 campaign was announced, the Manchester rivals hoped the clash at Etihad Stadium would influence the Premier League title chase, but, as things stand now, the winner of the tie will only improve their hopes of securing Champions League qualification.
Manchester City
Even if they end up securing a top 4 finish in the Premiership, Manchester City will not have been too happy by the outcome of the season having utterly failed to live up to the expectations. Even though many believe that Pep Guardiola was the perfect manager to take the team to the next level, the reality is that the Catalan tactician hasn’t done any better than his predecessors at Etihad Stadium. The 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final effectively ended Man City’s hopes of lifting a major trophy, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have to play for in the remaining six fixtures. The Citizens do occupy the fourth position in English Premier League at the moment, but they are just one point clear of fifth-placed Manchester United, meaning the next Manchester derby could decide the outcome of the top 4 chase. Back to back wins over Hull City and Southampton will not matter a great deal when we know that Man City couldn’t win any of their last five high-profile games (D2 L3), so they have every reason to feel pressure ahead of the visit of Manchester United.
Team News
Pep Guardiola is sweating over the fitness of Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Fernandinho, while John Stones and Gabriel Jesus could return. Bacary Sagna and Ilkay Gundogan are definitely out.
Manchester United
Following the heavy summer spending and the arrival of Jose Mourinho, Manchester United were tipped to mount a serious title challenge in English Premier League, but they haven’t quite managed to do so. Nevertheless, the Red Devils have done much better than their local rivals, lifting the League Cup trophy and making it to the Europa League semi-final, where they will be vying Celta Vigo for a place in the final. And even though a Europa League trophy would also book them a place in next year’s Champions League, Manchester United also plan to achieve a top 4 finish in the league and an eventual win over Manchester City would go a long way towards that goal. The Red Devils head into the high-profile game in much better spirits than the opposition having won four of their last five matches on all fronts, and they are now unbeaten in nine games. Three successive Premier League wins on the road will give Jose Mourinho’s side additional boost ahead of the all-important clash at Etihad Stadium and we are backing them to pile more misery on their local rivals.
Team News
Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera are set for late fitness tests, whereas Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Juan Mata, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling and James Wilson are out injured.
Key Factors to Consider
- Man Utd won last three away matches in EPL
- Man City are winless in last five high-profile games (D2 L3)
- Man Utd won three of last five meetings with Man City (D1 L1)
- The Red Devils recorded 1-0 win in the same fixture last season
- Their last four meetings produced just four goals
Conclusion
Manchester City have suffered yet another major blow having crashed out of the FA Cup, and having struggled in games against Monaco, Liverpool, Arsenal (x2) and Chelsea, we seriously doubt they can show serious improvement vs Man Utd. The Red Devils, on the other hand, are doing really well at the moment and we are backing Marcus Rashford to prove worthy replacement for Zlatan.
Verdict: Man Utd not to lose
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: bet365
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