Prediction: Manchester City vs Manchester United

Verdict: Manchester City win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 6/4

Bookmaker: Luckster

With all eyes falling on the Etihad this weekend, Manchester City will welcome Manchester United to the blue half of town on Sunday afternoon.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might have a real battle on their hands in their bid to make more domestic history this season, Pep Guardiola’s men are in the midst of a real purple patch. Opening this weekend’s fixtures sat just a single point adrift of reclaiming their spot at the top of the table, the Sky Blues will certainly be looking to make a heavyweight statement here. Last seen earlier in the week extending on their FA Cup adventure as they stormed their way to a 6-2 romp away at Luton, the former Barcelona boss has seen his superstar squad win 14 of their previous 15 appearances across all competitions. Likewise, not suffering a single defeat since way back on December 6th, City are rightfully tipped as a landslide contender at the Etihad. Getting their Champions League knockout stage adventure underway with a routine 3-1 victory away at Copenhagen on February 13th, Guardiola’s side are certainly firing on all cylinders.

Team News

Limping off against Luton earlier in the week and hit with another suspected muscle injury, England international Jack Grealish will not feature on Sunday afternoon. Missing all of City’s last five appearances across all competitions, former RB Leipzig defender Jose Gvardiol remains a doubt here.

Bagging five stunning FA Cup goals away at Kenilworth Road in midweek, attacking icon Erling Haaland will spearhead Guardiola’s charge at the Etihad. Already notching nine Premier League strikes this season, Phil Foden will certainly be handed a full recall.

Manchester United

As for the visitors, making an immediate return to winning ways in midweek as they snatched a late 1-0 victory away at Nottingham Forest, Manchester United have largely impressed since opening the New Year. Despite suffering last-gasp heartbreak against Fulham last weekend as they eventually fell to a 2-1 loss, Erik ten Hag’s side have won all of their other six appearances across all competitions. However, needing a miracle in their bid to clinch another Champions League ticket in 2024, the former Ajax boss will be concerned by a nightmare record against the defending champions. Hit with a routine 3-0 drumming when they welcomed their bitter local rivals to Old Trafford for their reverse Premier League showdown on October 29th, United have lost five of their previous six meetings. Despite winning all of their last six contests outside the red half of Manchester, ten Hag’s men are rightfully tipped as a landslide underdog here.

Team News

In what is a huge blow for Manchester United, ten Hag will once again be unable to call upon attacking talisman Rasmus Hojlund due to a recent muscle injury. Likewise, still nursing respective issues, the Red Devils will be without the likes of Mason Mount, Lisandro Martinez, Anthony Martial and England international Luke Shaw.

Although Marcus Rashford might have come under a huge amount of scrutiny this season, the 26-year-old will lead ten Hag’s charge on Sunday afternoon. Handed an FA Cup rest away at Nottingham Forest in midweek, midfield sensation Kobbie Mainoo will be handed a full recall.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Manchester City and Manchester United met for their reverse Premier League battle on October 29th, the Sky Blues picked up a 3-0 romp at Old Trafford.
• Guardiola’s men have won five of their previous six meetings against Manchester United across all competitions.
• The defending Premier League champions have won 14 of their previous 15 appearances across all competitions.
• The Red Devils have won all of their previous six showdowns away from Old Trafford across all formats.
• Erling Halend has notched 22 goals in as many domestic appearances across all competitions this season.

Conclusion

While Manchester United might have won all of their previous six straight contests away from Old Trafford, ten Hag’s side couldn’t have wished for a tougher challenge here. Losing five of their previous six domestic showdowns against the Sky Blues, Sunday’s hosts will be confident of making another heavyweight statement here. With City storming their way to a remarkable 6-3 victory when the two rivals met at the Etihad last season, we are expecting a similar home victory for the defending champions.

Verdict: Manchester City win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 6/4

Bookmaker: Luckster