Man Utd vs Man City: Preview and Prediction

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Match Preview:

One of the biggest derby games in Europe will take place at the weekend and this could end up being a crunch tie for both clubs.

On one hand we have Manchester United whose form has improved but they remain a team who are unpredictable and perform better away from home. And on the other hand we have Manchester City who have not scaled their usual heights of excellence just yet but have shown glimpses of what makes the team tick under Pep Guardiola in the last few weeks, so we are really set up for quite a clash.

In the Premier League United have won their last four games, though in every one of them they had their personal troubles before coming back and improving in the second half. This has been key to United’s problems lately that they do not start games well enough. Against Southampton they were 2-0 down with thirty minutes left yet won 3-2. Against West Ham they were a goal down and outplayed in the first half and yet won 3-1. While these comebacks are superb, one has to wonder how long United can get away with it? Well wonder no more as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side found themselves 3-0 down in midweek against RB Leipzig in the Champions League and yet with 10 minutes left decided to play and pulled two goals back, but this comeback wasn’t to be and as a result they lost 3-2 and were knocked out of the competition.

Swashbuckling comebacks have been all the rage even with the best United sides of the past but you can’t expect to play like that every week. So whilst it is true that United have climbed up the table, perhaps their overall play and mindset will not bode well for the rest of the campaign.

Manchester City are in seventh place and have scored seven goals in their last two games. The club have beaten Burnley and Fulham in those, whilst the wins are very welcomed and form has turned around one must still be weary of a side that thinks it has improved by beating two teams near the bottom and each time being at home. The fact is earning 18 points from a possible 30 is not Manchester City level and they haven’t reached that standard yet where we can even think they will finish the season in the top four. Still they are making steps in the right direction.

Unlike United Guardiola’s side have sailed through to the knock out stages of the Champions League and impressively went to Marseille in midweek and beat them 3-0. Recent form in the Premier League has seen back to back wins and just 1 defeat and away from home has seen the club earn 8 points from 15. City’s last away game ended in a 2-0 defeat against Tottenham.

Team News: 

Manchester United: Anthony Martial should be fine for the game after a recent minor knock. Marcos Rojo still has some fitness issues but will be assessed. Edinson Cavani has been rested after a slight knock but is being tipped to be ready for this game.

Manchester City: Eric Garcia and Ilkay Gundogan suffered minor leg injuries in midweek but could take part in this game although nothing has been confirmed as of yet.

Man Utd vs Man City Head to Head:

Last season in this fixture Manchester United won 2-0.

Four of the last six league meetings has seen over 2.5 goals.

Manchester City have beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford in the league six times in the last 10 years.

Man Utd vs Man City Prediction:

There are big questions for both clubs and the pressure is more on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer because Pep Guardiola is not getting the sack this season. For Solskjaer the pressure will remain but will be eased with a win here. 

However United have been so poor at home and keep relying on comebacks that facing a side in the quality of City at this present time does seem like a big ask. At the same time City have not been very consistent and their two recent wins are not a guarantee that they will go on a winning run.

Therefore we feel it's safer to stick to the goals markets for this game, and we believe there will be goals and for both teams.

Man Utd vs Man City Betting Tips:

Both teams to score (Yes) at 1.61

Anytime goalscorer: Raheem Sterling at 2.50

Over 2.5 goals at 1.66