Man Utd vs Man City predictions: Citizens should claim derby honours
- The last four Manchester derbies have featured at least three goals
- Manchester City have kept a clean sheet in just two of their last 15 away matches
- Recommended bet: Manchester City to win and both teams to score
Manchester City have lost their last two Premier League away games against Wolves and Arsenal and Pep Guardiola’s team will not want to lose any more ground on leaders Tottenham after Sunday’s Manchester derby.
City eased past Young Boys 3-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday and with Erling Haaland back in the goals following his brace in Switzerland, United may be fearing the worst.
The Red Devils have had a few scrapes at home already this season, including on Tuesday when they needed a late penalty save from Andre Onana to earn a 1-0 win over Copenhagen, but they will be hoping to raise their game against the champions.
Team news
United will hope Casemiro will be fit after the ankle injury he suffered playing for Brazil, but Amad Diallo, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw are still ruled out. The game may also come too early for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
City will miss Manuel Akanji after he was sent off in last week’s victory over Brighton and midfielder star Kevin De Bruyne remains the only long-term absentee.
The stats
There have been more than two goals scored in five of Manchester United’s last seven league games.
Manchester United’s tally of 11 goals in their first nine games is their lowest in the Premier League era.
The last four Manchester derbies have featured at least three goals.
Manchester City have kept just two clean sheets in their last 15 away matches
Both teams have scored in five of Manchester City’s last seven league games
Prediction
Manchester City are in the unusual position of having five points to make up on Premier League leaders Tottenham, so they can ill-afford another away defeat when they make the short trip to Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Citizens have suffered recent defeats at Wolves and Arsenal, but they should still be confident against United after steadying the ship both at home and abroad since.
Central midfielder Rodri is back from suspension and his influence was undoubtedly missed in those losses at Molineux and the Emirates, while Erling Haaland has ended what for him was a barren spell of three games without a goal.
United beat City on their own patch last season, but they have had plenty of close shaves at home this year, beating Wolves when they were second-best for much of the game, conceding two goals in the first four minutes before beating Nottingham Forest and needing two injury-time goals from Scott McTominay to see off Brentford.
City have conceded in 13 of their last 15 games, so there is a decent chance that the Red Devils can claim a goal, but a team who have netted just 11 times in their first nine matches may have insufficient firepower to beat the champions.
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