Verdict: Manchester City win
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
With all eyes from across Europe falling on Old Trafford this weekend, Manchester United will host the defending champions on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, keeping their Champions League dreams alive earlier in the week as they eventually snatched a 1-0 victory against Copenhagen, Manchester United will be desperate to produce a far more polished performance here. Marking their return from October’s international break with a rollercoaster 2-1 win away at relegation scrappers Sheffield United, Erik ten Hag’s men have won each of their previous three appearances across all competitions. However, although the Red Devils might have collected nine points from their last four Premier League showdowns, it is no secret that United are still struggling to find much stability. Knowing that they face a heavyweight challenge when their bitter local rivals arrive at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, ten Hag’s side should be concerned by their extended issues against City. Along with a 2-1 loss in last season’s FA Cup final on June 3rd, United have lost four of their previous five contests against the defending champions.
Team News
Still banished from United’s first-team picture, England international Jadon Sancho will once again play no part on Sunday afternoon. The former Borussia Dortmund will be joined on the sidelines by the injured quartet of Tyrell Malacia, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez.
Bagging the winner against Copenhagen earlier in the week and now starting in each of Manchester United’s last three appearances across all competitions, Harry Maguire will keep his spot at the heart of United’s midfield at Old Trafford.
Manchester City
As for the visitors, extending on their Champions League romp earlier in the week as they claimed a 3-1 victory away at Swiss outfit Young Boys, Manchester City have their sights set on making even more history this time around. Becoming the first English club since 1999 to be crowned treble champions back in June, Pep Guardiola’s side will be desperate to make another statement here. Still tipped as a standout contender to defend their domestic title, the former Barcelona boss will be calling on his superstar squad to find some recent stability on the road. Including a shock 2-1 loss at the hands of Wolves prior to October’s international break, it is worth noting that City have lost each of their last three domestic showdowns away from the Etihad across all competitions. Nevertheless, looking to climb back to the top of the Premier League table this weekend, Guardiola’s men will be excited by a rampant record against their historic local rivals.
Team News
Still dealing with a long-term thigh injury and not making a single appearance since the opening weekend, Manchester City will once again be without Kevin De Bruyne on Sunday afternoon. Handed a full Champions League rest away at Young Boys earlier in the week, England international Kyle Walker should be handed a full recall here.
Bagging a stellar European brace on foreign soil a few days ago and already notching nine Premier League strikes this season, attacking talisman Erling Haaland will spearhead City’s charge at Old Trafford.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two Manchester rivals last met back on June 3rd in the FA Cup final, City picked up a 2-1 victory at Wembley.
- Likewise, the defending Premier League champions have won four of their previous five meetings against Manchester United.
- However, the Sky Blues have lost each of their last three domestic contests away from the Etihad across all competitions.
- Ten Hag’s side have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their previous eight Premier League showdowns.
- The last four meetings between Manchester United and Manchester City have produced 19 goals at both ends of the pitch.
Conclusion
Putting in a rampant Champions League performance earlier in the week as they cruised their way to a 3-1 victory away at Young Boys, Manchester City will know the importance of making another statement here. Although the Sky Blues might have lost each of their last three straight domestic appearances away from the Etihad, there is no doubt that Guardiola’s side will be excited by a rampant record against their historic local rivals. Lifting last season’s FA Cup trophy thanks to a 2-1 victory against Manchester United at Wembley on June 3rd, City have won four of their previous five battles across all competitions.
Verdict: Manchester City win
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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