*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
The season’s second Manchester Derby takes place this Sunday, as the blue half of the city hosts the red half at the Etihad. While Man City are justifiably long odds on to do the double over United, recent history suggests that this will be a difficult game for the Premier League champions.
City have lost each of their last three games against United at the Etihad, losing four of the last five and they welcome their city rivals knowing any slip up will open the door even further to a Liverpool side in hot pursuit.
And, as if this fixture needed anymore spicing up, we’ve added a massive 25/1 Bet Builder into the mix. Let’s get into it!
Sunday, 4:30pm: Man City v Man Utd
Sky Sports Main Event
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The Draw
City have won just one home Manchester Derby since 2014 in a fixture that has curiously been dominated by away sides for the best part of a decade. City have won nine of their last 14 visits to Old Trafford in all competitions in a run stretching back to October 2011 but have won just four of their last 12 home derbies in the same period.
Pep Guardiola has only beaten United at home once in six attempts since taking over at City despite enjoying almost total supremacy in all department during that six-year spell. Anything other than a win on Sunday will open the door even further for Liverpool in the Premier League title race, but City may be forced to settle for a draw.
The champions have been stuttering in recent weeks, losing at home to Tottenham before stumbling to unconvincing wins against Everton and Peterborough. They face a United side that has lost just once since Ralf Rangnick took the helm in December, albeit without facing any of the Big Six during that period.
United have arguably become draw specialists under Rangnick, drawing eight of their 17 games under the German, including five of their last seven. There is an argument that Rangnick’s methods are better suited to higher-quality opposition and United may for once be happy that they have come away from a game with a point.
Both teams to score
Manchester United have not kept an away clean sheet under Rangnick since a 1-0 win at lowly Norwich before Christmas in a run stretching over six games in all competitions. Although undeniably better at the back since his appointment, United still bleed chances to their opponents and it would border on insanity to suggest that they are capable of keeping a City side that has scored in each of its last 24 games at bay.
City boast the best defensive record in the league, conceding just 17 goals in 27 games, but they have failed to keep a clean sheet against United in their last five home Manchester Derbies dating back to a 0-0 draw in April 2017.
Their defensive capitulation against Tottenham two weeks ago will also offer United hope that they are capable of exploiting the City defence. United have created more chances than other Premier League team since Rangnick took over but have lacked a cutting edge in front of goal.
With chances likely to come at a premium on Sunday, they would do well to rediscover their killer instinct.
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Manchester City to have seven or more shots on target
Only Liverpool have had more shots on target than Manchester City in the Premier League this season. Guardiola’s side have recorded 183 shots on target in 27 league games at a rate of just under seven per game and can be expected to come close to that average against United on Sunday.
United have faced the fourth-most shots on target in the league this season, facing an average of almost five shots on target per game. It is a testament to David De Gea’s form this season that they boast the ninth-best defensive record in the league.
De Gea has been overworked this season, especially in away games under Rangnick. United have faced 40 shots on target in their six away league games under Rangnick to date at a rate of almost seven per game.
It would be naïve to think that they can improve on that record against a trigger-happy City side on Sunday.
Over 11.5 corners
No team has won more corners in the Premier League this season than Manchester City. The champions have won an eye-catching 233 corners from 27 games at a rate of more than 8.5 per game.
They have won 62 corners in their last six home league games at an average of more than 10 per game and are likely to reach similar numbers on Sunday, especially if they do manage seven or more shots on target and find De Gea in fine form. United, on the other hand, have won the sixth-most corners in the division and average more than five per game. They can be expected to win a couple of corners when they make forays at the other end of the pitch.
Man City v Man Utd Bet Builder tips
The Draw
Both teams to score
Manchester City to have seven or more shots on target
Over 11.5 corners
*A Bet Builder with these four best bets pays at approximately 25/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
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*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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