Manchester City will host Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday in what’s already shaping up as a vital Manchester derby. Both clubs are off to rough starts to the Premier League season and will try to get back on track with a win against their bitter rival. Both teams have just one win so far this year and you can find out who I think will get a second with my Manchester City vs Manchester United prediction.
Our Manchester City vs Manchester United Pick
- Pick: Manchester City to win
- Confidence: ★★★★☆
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Manchester City vs Manchester United Match Preview
Pep Guardiola has been under pressure already this early in the season. After thumping Wolves, City dropped points in successive matches, and defensive lapses have been underlining a lack of sharpness at the back. Key injuries include Rayan Cherki, Josko Gvardiol, and possibly others. Newcomer Gianluigi Donnarumma could make his debut in goal for City. James Trafford has been the starting keeper so far, but has made errors that have increased scrutiny on the keeper position.
United are managed now by Ruben Amorim and are still trying to find consistency under him. United has a win, a loss, and a draw in Premier League competition so far. They also lost to Grimsby in the League Cup in embarrassing fashion. But even that win was far from convincing, with a late penalty to United winning it. Their injury list is troubling. Matheus Cunha, Mason Mount, and Diogo Dalot are all out. Lisandro Martinez remains unavailable long-term and keeper is a question mark for them right now.
Historically, Manchester City have generally dominated in matches played at the Etihad. But United took four points from the two league meetings last season and have avoided defeat in recent derbies. Erling Haaland is in strong form, including five goals for Norway while on international duty. That is a huge plus for City. But without some solid defending that won’t matter.
Betting Insights
- City is the favorite to win this match at -130. United is +320 to get the win and a draw is +300.
- The over/under for the match is set at 3.5 goals and the under is heavily juiced at -170.
- United is 2-1-1 in the last four Manchester Derbies.
Manchester City vs Manchester United Prediction
We expect Manchester City to take this match. Their attacking talent and home-field advantage give them the edge, especially with United are missing key attacking and defensive pieces. City need this result badly after two losses in a row. Under Guardiola, they have had the better of this rivalry over the long haul. We predict a close contest. But this should be a match where City break through and cast even more doubt onto Amorim as the manager at United.
Manchester City vs Manchester United Model Projection
Score Projection: Manchester City 2 – Manchester United 1
Win Probability: Manchester City 54%, Manchester United 24%, Draw 22%
