Man City vs Man United Preview
Manchester City will host Manchester United for the 192nd time on Gameweek 27 in the Premier League with the two sides on completely different trajectories. The Red Devils lost their tenth game of the season last week to Fulham and sit 15 points behind their cross-city rivals. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola’s side have finally found a rich vein of form with eight wins on the trot and an unbeaten run, in the league, that stretches back to early December.
The Cityzens, however, do have a tough run of fixtures ahead as they face Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal before the end of March. It’s a run of games that will play a key role in deciding the title especially as City are in second place, one point behind Liverpool and one above Arsenal. For Erik ten Hag’s side, on the other hand, this fixture could prove to be a major injection of confidence should they end up victorious.
The Red Devils have had a topsy-turvy season so far and will need a minor miracle to finish within the top four, as they sit eight points behind Aston Villa. Not only that, Tottenham, in fifth place, have a game in hand over the Old Trafford side which means the odds are stacked against Ten Hag’s team.
Also Read: Manchester United’s Harry Maguire Ruled Out of FA Cup Clash Amid Injury Woes
Man City vs Man United Team news
Man City
Pep Guardiola loves to rotate his squad and that was very evident in their win over Bournemouth as the Spaniard made four changes to his squad. Matheus Nunes, Mateo Kovacic and Nathan Ake replaced Kyle Walker, Julian Alvarez and Oscar Bobb, and with City playing mid-week FA Cup football, there’s bound to be more changes for that game. However, given how tight the title race is and the fact that it is a derby, Guardiola will most likely play his strongest team especially since he has no major injury concerns outside Josko Gvardiol.
The Croatian is back in training after an ankle injury although it is unlikely that Guardiola would risk the defender against the Red Devils.
Man United
Unlike his sky-blue compatriot, Manchester United’s manager Erik ten Hag has quite a few problems to solve. The Red Devils have been plagued with injuries recently and will thus be without Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount and a few others. To make matters worse, Casemiro suffered a head injury in the loss to Fulham and is a doubt while Ten Hag revealed that both Bruno Fernandes and Raphael Varane are also doubtful.
However, the Dutchman did say that all three players will be subject to late fitness tests before their FA Cup fixture against Nottingham Forest. Thus, if they do not make the cut for the cup game, there is a chance the trio will be fit in time for the Manchester derby.
Man City vs Man United Predicted lineups
Here are Man City vs Man United lineups:-
Man City:
With no major injury concerns, Pep Guardiola will most likely field his strongest possible lineup.
Predicted XI: Ederson; Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji; Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva; Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden.
Man United:
While Erik ten Had has had his squad depleted through injuries, it does mean that the Dutch manager will likely field a similar eleven to the team that lost against Fulham.
Predicted XI: Andre Onana; Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Sofyan Amrabat; Casemiro, Kobie Manioo, Scott McTominay; Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho
Head-to-Head
Played: 191; Manchester United: 78, Manchester City: 60, Draws: 53
Last five games
Manchester United 0-3 Manchester City (Premier League)
Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United (FA Cup)
Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City (Premier League)
Manchester City 6-3 Manchester United (Premier League)
Manchester City 4-1 Manchester United (Premier League)
Man City vs Man United Prediction:
Common sense and recent history tell us that there is very little chance that Manchester United even manage to test Manchester City especially given their recent history at the Etihad Stadium. But since this is football, there’s always a chance and even with the odds stacked against the Red Devils, maybe Erik ten Hag could take a page from Chelsea’s book and mastermind an upset.
Yet since the percentage of that happening is not even in the double figures, one can’t take away the fact that City are unbeaten in their last 11 games in the league. That run does include four wins and a draw in their last five games which doesn’t bode well for the Red Devils and stacks the odds in favour of the Cityzens. Especially with both Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne fit and firing again.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United
Man City vs Man United Betting Tips
Manchester City win.
Both teams to score: Yes.
Over 3.5 goals: No
Man City vs Man United Odds
Manchester City win: 1.30
Draw: 6.20
Manchester United win: 9.20
Man City vs Man United Timings & Telecast
- Etihad Stadium– 3rd March – 2100 GMT
- India: Sony Sports Network
- United Kingdom: Sky Ultra HDSky Sports Main EventSKY GO ExtraSky Sports Premier League
- US: Peacock
Also Read: Erik ten Hag: Should Manchester United keep or sack the Dutch manager?