England Premier League
Sunday 6th March 2022
Kick off at 4:30pm GMT
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Match Preview:
It’s the Manchester derby and this should be a cracker from the first whistle to the last. Manchester City are trying to win back to back league titles and United are trying to finish 4th, so this is game on.
Manchester City got very very lucky last weekend as they beat a determined Everton side 1-0. Perhaps some believed that City would go to Goodison Park and win easily but that wasn’t the case. Yes they had plenty of possession but they were left frustrated by Everton’s excellent tracking and it took a lucky goal and then a penalty appeal to save them. In the end though City did walk off with 3 points and they come into this weekend six points ahead of Liverpool. That will probably be three points by the time this game is played, so this is a must win for the club. However of course even if City were in 12th place and destined to finish in mid table, a derby is always a must win.
City eased past Peterborough in the FA Cup in midweek but in truth the lower league side gave a good performance especially in the first period of the game. But City won 2-0 in the end as their class finally showed and they have reached the quarter finals. At home City have won 10 of their 13 games played but did lose their last home game against Tottenham in a memorable encounter that finished 3-2 to the Londoners.
Manchester United keep blowing hot and cold. A few weeks ago they beat Brighton and Leeds to win rare back to back games but then at home against relegation threatened Watford they couldn’t score and the game finished 0-0. United had just 3 shots on target in that game and just when you think Ralf Rangnick has found a formula you find out he hasn’t. Still United are in the coveted 4th position and have 47 points they are also unbeaten in their last 5 games although three of those have ended in draws.
Fourth looks in the balance for the Red Devils as West Ham, Arsenal and Tottenham chase them down and because some of the other clubs have games in hand finishing 4th is far from assured. On the road United have been good with just 2 defeats so far and they have almost won 50% of their games. They have lost just once in the last 10 away games too.
Team News:
Manchester City: Ruben Dias is out for at least a month with a hamstring injury. Nathan Ake has a knock and has been ruled out. Cole Palmer has recovered from injury but is a major doubt to return to the team due to a lack of match fitness. Zackary Steffen has a back injury and will miss out.
Manchester United: There are no injuries for the club ahead of this game.
Man City vs Man Utd Head to Head:
Last season Manchester United won this fixture 2-0.
Earlier in the season in the reverse fixture Manchester City won 2-0.
In the last 10 meetings Manchester City have 5 wins, United have 4 and there has been one draw.
There is a 70% chance to see under 2.5 goals.
Man City vs Man Utd Prediction:
In truth Manchester United have been in Manchester City’s shadow for almost a decade, however they have also pulled off some terrific results at the Etihad. So what gives? If we get the City version of their last two league games then United have a chance here, this is the version that let the opposition have too much say on the pacing of the game and City need to find back their own style, which can stifle teams into making mistakes.
United have a better chance to get something here than they did earlier in the season and even though life has been rocky with Rangnick in charge they have only lost one game with him in charge in the league. But United remain a team as mentioned earlier who blow hot and cold, City rarely do this and we know from history that when they lose a game at home as they did in their last game here they are able to go on freaky type winning runs of consistency. We expect United to have much more fun in this game but still expect City to walk away with victory.
Man City vs Man Utd Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (-1 Man City) at 1.60
Anytime goalscorer: Kevin De Bruyne at 2.75
Both teams to score at 1.80
A red card shown in the game at 5.00
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