Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Unibet
With Manchester bragging rights up for grabs at Old Trafford this weekend, an inconsistent Manchester United will host their crosstown rivals from behind closed doors on Saturday evening.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, while Manchester United might have tried to mount one of their famous second-half comebacks away at RB Leipzig in midweek, the Red Devils could not save their Champions League adventure. Eventually hit with that dramatic 3-2 defeat in Germany on Tuesday night, the former Premier League champions have had to drop down to the Europa League and there is only growing scrutiny over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s position in the Old Trafford dugout. However, despite putting in what was a woeful first-half display in East London last weekend, United did manage to snatch a 3-1 win against a wasteful West Ham and they have enjoyed a recent domestic bounce. Managing to find a route back into the European spots, Saturday’s hosts have won each of their last four Premier League contests on the spin, despite continuing to show a host of issues at the back. While they might have a growing reputation for their remarkable turnaround skills in the second 45, it should be noted that Solskjaer’s inconsistent squad have managed to land just a single clean sheet in their last nine matchups across all formats.
Team News
Manchester United pair Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani could be available despite missing the midweek Champions League defeat with minor injuries.
Manchester City
As for the visitors, while Manchester United might have failed to book their spot in the knockout stage of this year’s Champions League in midweek, the Sky Blues wrapped up their campaign in routine fashion. Eventually claiming their spot as Group C winners by collecting 16 points from their five qualifying contests, Pep Guardiola’s men have managed to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat away at league leaders Tottenham last month. Last seen on Wednesday night at the Etihad picking up a routine 3-0 win against French outfit Marseille, the former Barcelona boss finds his side now enjoying a five-match unbeaten run across all formats, winning four of those appearances. Desperate to make up some ground and close their deficit at the top of the table, fans around the blue half of Manchester will be boosted by their side’s recent improvements at the back. Landing another European clean sheet earlier in the week, Saturday’s guests have gone almost 500 minutes without picking the ball out of their own net.
Team News
Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero will be on the bench after making a scoring return in Europe in midweek.
Ilkay Gundogan and Eric Garcia, who both picked up knocks in that Champions League match, will be assessed.
Key Factors to Consider
- Including a 2-0 win when the two sides faced off back in March, Manchester United have remarkably won three of their last four meetings against the former Premier League champions.
- However, Saturday’s hosts have managed to record just a single clean sheet in any of their last nine matchups across all formats.
- Manchester City are unbeaten in their last five matchups across all competitions, winning four of those appearances.
- More impressive, the Sky Blues have recorded a clean sheet in each of their last five matchups on the spin.
- Each of Manchester United’s last five matchups have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
While Manchester United might hold an eye-catching record against their bitter rivals, the Sky Blues will be smelling a real chance to cash in on a Reds side showing a string of inconsistencies. Crashing out of the Champions League away at RB Leipzig in midweek, Saturday’s hosts have only continued to gain a reputation for their rather glaring issues at the back, particularly in the first-half. With Pep Guardiola’s side landing a routine 3-0 romp against Marseille and securing their way to the knockout stage of this year’s Champions League, City have managed to bounce back from their defeat away in North London last month. Looking to close the gap at the top of the table, we’re backing an away victory this weekend.
Verdict: Manchester City win
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Unibet
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