Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
With all eyes falling on the Etihad this weekend, Manchester City and Manchester United will meet on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester City
Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might have made real history last season as they became the first club in Premier League history to claim four consecutive domestic titles, Pep Guardiola’s men have come crashing back down to earth in a remarkable fashion. Putting in another downbeat performance earlier in the week as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Italian giants Juventus, the pressure is really mounting on Guardiola’s shoulders. Opening this weekend’s fixtures sat eight points adrift of runaway leaders Liverpool, the Sky Blues are also only just hanging onto a Champions League spot. Continuing to show a string of issues on either side of November’s international break, Sunday’s hosts have recorded just a single win from any of their last 10 appearances across all competitions. Marking their return from November’s international break with an infamous 4-0 drumming at home against Tottenham, Guardiola’s men have registered just a sole clean sheet since the end of October.
Manchester City Team News
Undergoing knee surgery back in September, midfield talisman Rodri is not expected to feature over the remainder of the season. Likewise, all missing out away at Juventus earlier in the week, Manchester City will once again be without the likes of Manuel Akanji, Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake.
Returning from a knock in midweek, England international Phil Foden could be handed a first appearance since December 1st. Recording 13 Premier League goals so far this season, the record-breaking Erling Haaland will play a leading role in the final third.
Manchester United
As for the visitors, while Manchester United might have mounted a crucial Europa League comeback away at Viktoria Plzen earlier in the week as they eventually dragged themselves to a 2-1 victory, the Red Devils are still seeking some stability. Although there might have been much excitement around Old Trafford last month following Ruben Amorim’s arrival, the former Sporting Lisbon boss has failed to make an immediate impact. Last seen in Premier League action falling to an action-packed 3-2 loss at home against Nottingham Forest, Sunday’s hosts have lost back-to-back domestic showdowns. Still scrapping it out in the bottom-half of the table and seeking a miracle in the race to book any kind of European adventure, United have also clinched just a single domestic victory away from Old Trafford so far this season.
Manchester United Team News
Suffering yet another injury setback last month, Manchester United will once again be without England international Luke Shaw. Likewise, not featuring since the end of November, veteran defender Johnny Evans remains on the sidelines and will not be part of Amorim’s squad on Sunday afternoon.
Coming off the bench and bagging a sensational Europa League brace on Thursday night, Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund should be handed a full recall here. Left as an unused substitute earlier in the week, summer recruit Leny Yoro should start at the heart of United’s defence.
Manchester City vs Manchester United Key Factors to Consider
- When Manchester City and Manchester United met in the Community Shield on August 10th, the Sky Blues collected a thrilling penalties victory at Wembley.
- Man City have remarkably recorded just a single victory across any competition from any of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions.
- The defending Premier League champions have recorded just a sole clean sheet since the end of October.
- Man United have registered just a sole domestic clean sheet on their travels so far this season.
- Seven of the last eight meetings between Manchester City and Manchester United have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
In a showdown that tends to produce plenty of fireworks, neutrals will be hoping for another Premier League thriller here. With Manchester City remarkably winning just one of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions, Sunday’s hosts will have a tremendous amount of pressure on their shoulders this weekend. With seven of the last eight meetings between the two historic rivals finishing with both teams finding the net, chances could come thick and fast. Two bitter rivals who have shown their own respective defensive issues, we are expecting both teams to find the net.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
