[ad_1]
A fascinating Manchester derby kicks off this lunchtime at Old Trafford that could have major implications on both the Premier League title race and the battle for the top four.
In the red corner, United are on a fine eight-game winning run that has boosted their chances in the cups and landed them in with a great chance of qualifying for the Champions League. Erik ten Hag may not care too much but Red Devils fans will be aware that a victory today will bring them to within a single point of their noisy neighbours.
In the blue corner, a dour midweek defeat at Southampton was shrugged off by Pep Guardiola, who will recall his star players from the start today. But with Arsenal five points clear at the top of the table, a victory in the derby could prove essential. Follow Man United vs Manchester City live via Standard Sport’s match blog!
Live updates
Latest odds
Match odds
- Man United: 29/10
- Draw: 29/10
- Man City: 10/11
Title odds
- Man City – 8/15
- Arsenal – 9/1
- Man United – 25/1
Top-four odds
- Man City – 1/200
- Arsenal – 1/40
- Man United – 2/5
- Newcastle – 5/6
- Liverpool – 1/1
- Tottenham – 11/5
- Chelsea – 13/1
- Brighton – 20/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Weather forecast
It wouldn’t be Manchester if today’s derby wasn’t going to be played in overcast, soggy conditions!
Head-to-head record
City have won the last three Manchester derbies while scoring 12 goals.
Man United wins: 77
Draws: 53
Man City wins: 58
Former Red backing his old team today
Evening Standard score prediction
Manchester United are looking for their ninth victory on the bounce, while Manchester City are recovering from what some have described as their worst performance under Pep Guardiola as Southampton knocked them out of the Carabao Cup.
So the momentum is with the hosts but I expect the visitors to step up and provide a reaction to their midweek loss. Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne will return, as mentioned above, and can prove the difference in any game.
Honours even at Old Trafford, 2-2 draw.
Will Martial be fit?
ESPN reporting this morning that Anthony Martial underwent a fitness test this morning.
Manchester United are said to be cautiously optimistic the striker will be fit to start, while being nursed back to full health after a number of injury issues this season.
Predicted Manchester City XI: Ederson; Walker, Laporte, Akanji, Ake; De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish.
Early Man City team news
Manchester City will be without John Stones at the back as Pep Guardiola looks to again make wholesale changes match to match.
Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland will come back in, along with the likes of Manuel Akanji, Rodri and Bernardo Silva.
Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden are pushing for starts, while Joao Cancelo is likely to again be dropped.
Predicted Manchester United XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial.
Early Man United team news
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez is ready for his first Premier League start since the World Cup, so he will line-up against Raphael Varane as Luke Shaw moves to left-back.
Erik ten Hag is sweating over Diogo Dalot’s fitness, meaning Aaron Wan-Bissaka could keep his place at right-back. Anthony Martial has a knock but trained on Friday.
There will not be a debut for Wout Weghorst as he was not registered in time.
And the Red Devils have already been pictured arriving at the ground…
[ad_2]
Source link