Verdict: Manchester City win and over 1.5 goals
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Bet365
With local bragging rights up for grabs along with the chance to put one foot in the EFL Cup final, Manchester City will make the short trip to Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, while back-to-back victories over Burnley and Newcastle may have had many around Old Trafford starting to believe that their side had turned a corner, United find themselves enduring yet another testing period. In the midst of what can best be described as a rollercoaster campaign, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men couldn’t muster a single shot on target in their 0-0 FA Cup draw away at Wolves over the weekend. Also putting in what was arguably a season-worst display in their 2-0 defeat away at a struggling Arsenal on New Year’s Day, their top-four deficit has once again been cut to five points and the former champions are desperately searching for a morale boost. While United’s Norwegian boss may have seen his side win just a pair of their last six matches against Premier League opposition, the Red Devils will undoubtedly be boosted by their most recent meeting against their bitter rivals. When United made the trip to the Etihad last month, Tuesday’s hosts picked up what was a shock 2-1 victory.
Team News
Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard missed the FA Cup draw at Wolves on Saturday through illness and Harry Maguire sustained an injury at Molineux.
Defensive trio Eric Bailly, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Axel Tuanzebe have been training but might not be ready for the visit of City.
Manchester City
As for the visitors, while Manchester City’s collapse at Molineux last month may have brought an end to their title charge, Pep Guardiola’s side have bounced back in some style. Booking their spot in the fourth round of this year’s FA Cup by putting four past League Two outfit Port Vale over the weekend, the former Barcelona boss sees his side enjoying a three-match winning run and the defending champions have continued to shine in the final third. With Gabriel Jesus bagging three goals in as many Premier League appearances, City have managed to record at least a pair of strikes in each of their last eight matches on the spin, a run that stems back to their 2-1 defeat against United last month. However, while Guardiola’s men might be putting in their usual ruthless displays in the final third, there is no doubt that fans around the Etihad will be concerned by their side’s continued issues at the back. With key defender Aymeric Laporte only just returning to training, the Sky Blues have remarkably recorded just a pair of clean sheets across all competitions since a 3-0 win over Aston Villa on the 26th of October.
Team News
Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez could come back into the side, while Ederson is expected to be available having missed the last two games through illness.
Nicolas Otamendi will be handed a late fitness test and may be in contention himself, but Aymeric Laporte and Leroy Sane remain sidelined.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides faced off at the Etihad last month, Manchester United picked up a shock 2-1 win.
- However, the Sky Blues have recorded back-to-back victories at Old Trafford.
- Gabriel Jesus has scored three goals in as many against Premier League opposition.
- Manchester City have recorded just a pair of clean sheets in their previous 17 matches across all competitions.
- Tuesday’s hosts have won just two of their last six matches against Premier League opponents.
Conclusion
While Manchester United may have picked up what was a shocking 2-1 win over their bitter rivals last month, it is hard to see anything other than City righting their wrong in midweek. With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men showing some worrying issues against both Wolves and Arsenal, the reigning Premier League champions have landed back-to-back victories at Old Trafford and there is no doubt that they will be looking to exploit on United’s recent issues on Tuesday night.
Verdict: Manchester City win and over 1.5 goals
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Bet365
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
