Verdict: Draw
Best Odds: 27/10
Bookmaker: 888sport
Manchester City will have little time to ponder on their Champions League defeat with Manchester United coming to Etihad for the highly-anticipated local derby which could see Pep Guardiola’s men clinch the Premier League title.
Manchester City
There is hardly a better way to recover from an underwhelming Champions League loss than by grabbing a hold of the Premier League trophy in front of the eyes of your local rivals. Such a scenario is possible for Manchester City, who will give their absolute best to bounce back from the Liverpool disappointment and put in a Premier League winning display when they host Manchester United on Saturday.
Standing in the middle of a highly busy schedule, Pep Guardiola will have to find a way to tinker his way through. His players will need little convincing with their reputation at stake and a possibility to send another strong message to the world with what would be a morale-boosting derby triumph double heading into the reverse fixture against Liverpool next Tuesday. Clinching a league title with sic games to spare would be a huge achievement for Guardiola’s men and more than enough of a boost for the Liverpool rematch. The Spaniard is likely to ring a couple of changes to his line-up as he looks to calculate his way through this congested period but Citizens should have plenty about them to make it.
Team News
Fabian Delph and Raheem Sterling could both start on Saturday after being overlooked for the Liverpool clash.
Aymeric Laporte and Ilkay Gundogan could make way for the duo, whereas Sergio Aguero is a huge selection doubt for the Catalan. Benjamin Mendy remains a long-term absentee.
Manchester United
Red Devils had a relatively quiet week behind them which they will have used to prepare for the derby the best way possible. The haunting possibility of witnessing their bitter rivals clinch the title this Saturday is a scenario Jose Mourinho is desperate to avoid. The Portuguese will travel to Etihad Stadium to delay the coronation for another week.
Manchester United are sitting in second with only two points ahead of Liverpool in third and the forthcoming clash is carrying great importance for them as well. Mourinho is desperate to cross the finish line ahead of the remaining 19 teams in the league and is likely to bolster his midfield ranks in a push to hold off the Manchester City attacking lines. United are coming off from a four-match winning run in the league and will be looking to catch City off-guard and stun them with a win or a draw that would also be more than a suitable result for Mourinho.
Team News
Blind, Jones and Romero are unavailable for selection.
Mourinho is likely to shuffle his deck in the midfield with Herrera pushing for a start in front of McTominay and Juan Mata in front of Jesse Lingard.
Key Factors to Consider
- Man City can clinch the Premier League title with 3 points against United
- Red Devils lost 8 of their last 13 games against the Citizens
- Guardiola’s men are unbeaten in last 27 home games
- Mourinho’s charges only won 1 of their last 10 away league games against the top six teams
- There is a 14-point gap between the Manchester rivals in the Premier League table
Conclusion
We widely expect to see a pulsating Manchester derby at the Etihad on Saturday. Both City and United have plenty to fight for and will give their best to win and rub in their rivals’ face despite the tangible point difference between them in the standings. A draw is something we’re most inclined towards with Jose Mourinho expected to throw huge numbers in midfield to defend his goal.
Verdict: Draw
Best Odds: 27/10
Bookmaker: 888sport
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