Manchester City are flying high at the top of the Premier League table and Pep Guardiola’s side will be quietly confident of victory against their fierce rivals this weekend.
Led by the egotistical Jose Mourinho, Manchester United will attempt to defy the odds and win at the Etihad Stadium for the second season in a row.
That defeat to United is the only blemish on City’s Premier League home record since the start of December 2016 – an incredible run of form to say the least.
Guardiola will have his troops fired up and ready for this one, though 2/5 isn’t much of a price considering the quality of opposition City are up against.
In addition, the Red Devils head into this clash off the back of one of their finest results in recent times.
United came from behind to defeat Juventus in Turin on Wednesday evening and Mourinho’s swagger returned post-match. With Jose in that kind of mood, United are capable of going toe-to-toe with their city rivals.
Destructive At One End, Determined At The Other
City have been simply sublime in 2018/19, conceding just four goals in 11 Premier League outings.
Any doubts over City’s ability to defend have been scuppered; they have the best defensive record in England’s top flight by some distance. The hosts are 7/5 to keep a clean sheet on Sunday afternoon.
In the final third, City are doing City things. Guardiola’s men are averaging three goals per game and plenty of punters will fancy the Premier League champions to run riot.
Sergio Aguero, 4/6 to score anytime this weekend, has been in fantastic form in recent weeks and he could be the one to watch from a City perspective.
Inconsistent But United Have Quality To Win
The Red Devils have been hit and miss against their rivals so far this campaign. United were pitiful in their 3-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur but came within minutes of a huge scalp against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho's men are a little Jekyll and Hyde when it comes to facing the Premier League’s elite clubs and that is why the Red Devils are 15/2 to prevail.
Paul Pogba was central to United’s come-from-behind triumph over their rivals back in April but the Red Devils may have to cope without the France international on Sunday afternoon.
The United man missed Friday’s training session and will now take a late fitness test in a bid to make Mourinho’s starting line-up.
Pep vs Jose: A Match In Itself
These two have history from their respective spells at Barcelona and Real Madrid.
While the rivalry has cooled somewhat since those famous El Clasico contests, there is an added edge to this fixture because of the two men in the dugouts. Pep is the best manager on the planet while Mourinho is Mourinho. Jose will never change…
The phrase ‘Mourinho Masterclass’ has been coined over the years and a positive result for United might be enough for fans to label this as another win for the Portuguese.
However, stopping this City juggernaut is easier said than done. City could run riot if the Blues make an early breakthrough; getting through the first 15 minutes unscathed is imperative for Mourinho’s men.
City have improved defensively but United always have a goal in them. With that in mind, opting for a home win with both teams scoring at least once is the way to go at 8/5.
This is the perfect stage for City to bring their arch rivals back down to earth with a crushing win on home soil.
TIP: Manchester City to win and both teams to score @ 8/5
LONGSHOT: Sterling to score first and City to win 3-1 (Priced at 45/1 with 888sport)
PREDICTED SCORE: Man City 3-1 Man United (Priced at 9/1 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
