There is more than just bragging rights about being the top team in Manchester up for grabs on Sunday
when Manchester City face Manchester United at the Etihad. Whether Manchester United have any realistic chance of catching their rivals at the top of the Premier League will also be revealed once the result of the game is known.
Heading into the game the two teams are first and second in the EPL table but Manchester City, at the time of writing, hold a 15-point lead over United (although United are playing tonight against Crystal Palace and could cut that gap to 12-points). Many experts feel the title race is already over, but a win for United at Palace and then at City, could reduce that down to nine points.
On the other hand, a win for City and even if United beat Palace they would be 15-points behind their rivals, while any other result could see them 16 or even 18 points adrift.
So Sunday’s clash is a big one and little wonder then that there is so much betting interest in the game from punters all over the world. In the UK, if you are not yet signed up with a quality bookmaking site and service then take a look at the latest bet365 New Player Bonus offer on the site, which could offer you up to £100 in bet credits once you have signed up.
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The big game kicks off on Sunday at 4.30pm and will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports. Let’s take a closer look now at the state of both the teams competing and who we think will line up in the game before we give you our tips for the match.
Premier League – Manchester City v Manchester United
Sunday’s clash sees the top two in the Premier League lock horns but in truth there isn’t a huge amount of
pressure on Manchester City. With such a commanding lead in the title race, it seems unfeasible that they would throw such an advantage away.
There is more pressure on United as they seek to secure a Champions League spot and ideally finish second to City in the table most likely. However, with pressure from a number of clubs for those top four spots, United cannot afford to slip up and suffer a blip in form the likes of which other Premier League sides have suffered in recent times.
This fixture though has had a tendency to produce away winners in recent times. In the last ten matches between the two teams in all competitions, the away team has won seven of those games, with the home team just two and just one draw. That was a 0-0 draw earlier on this season between the two at Old Trafford.
Historical Record
The teams have met 185 times in their history with Manchester United winning 76 of those games to Manchester City’s 55 victories. A total of 53 games have been draws.
The recent history between the two teams is much more even however. Since 2015 the teame have met 16 times in all competitions. Manchester United have won seven of those games, Manchester City have six wins and three of the matches have finished as draws (all of those by a 0-0 scoreline).
This does tend to suggest that if we get a goal at the weekend, then one of the teams will likely win the game. Goals have been at a premium in recent matches between the two with just five goals in the last four games in total.
Current Form
- Manchester City – W W W W W W W W W W (City have won all their last 21 games)
- Manchester United – d d W W D W D W d L (United are undefeated away from home in the Premier League this season)
Manchester City Team News
After another good win in midweek over Wolves, I don’t think Pep Guardiola will be making too many changes
to the team that won that game. I can see Gabriel Jesus perhaps dropping to the bench to allow Gundogan to come back into the team after he was rested for the Wolves game.
That would push De Bruyne into a more forward position alongside Mahrez and Sterling, while I also feel John Stones good form will likely see him restored to the side alongside the impressive Ruben Dias at the heart of City’s defence.
Probable Manchester City XI – (4-3-3) – Ederson, Walker, Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Gundogan, Rodrigo, Silva.B, Mahrez, De Bruyne, Sterling.
Manchester United Team News
I think it is likely that United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will rest a couple of players ahead of the City game
for their midweek clash with Crystal Palace, perhaps with Fred and McTominay along with Rashford perhaps likeliest to be rested.
However, for the City game I think Solskjaer will want McTominay and Fred back together in midfield and with Pogba not yet fully fit I think Fernandes will play a more advanced role with Martial’s experience seeing him get the nod for this game ahead of Greenwood.
Probable Manchester United XI – (4-2-3-1) – De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Shaw, Maguire, Lindelof, Fred, McTominay, Fernandes, James, Rashford, Martial
Tips For Manchester City v Manchester United
- Full Time Result – Manchester City win – 8/15
- Correct Score – Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United – 15/2
- Anytime Goalscorer – Raheem Sterling (Man City) – 7/5
I can’t see the game this weekend being a shootout with lots of goals. Defences will likely be very much on top and I think a single goal will likely decide it. You can make a good case for either team getting it but I just feel with City in great form, they are the most likely to do so to claim what would be a massive win in the title race.
*All odds shown were correct with bet365 Sport as of Wednesday 3rd March 2021
