Manchester derby games have always been fierce and fiery occasions and the fact that the two teams are now both battling hard for silverware both domestically and in European football, only adds further spice to Saturday’s match up between Manchester City and Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The Citizens come into this game on the back of a rare defeat in their last Premier League game, when Crystal Palace earned a 2-0 win over Pep Guardiola’s team at the Etihad.
In contrast, Manchester United head into the game in better form after a 3-0 win away to Tottenham last weekend, a result which cost Spurs boss Nuno Santos his job and has seen Antonio Conte appointed in his place. United then went on to secure a vital last gasp draw 2-2 away at Atalanta to remain top of Group F in the Champions League.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been vital in both those games, netting once against Spurs and grabbing
both goals in Atalanta, the second coming in the final moments of the game, to put United back on track after a very poor run of results saw manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer under real pressure.
There is always huge interest in this massive derby game, not just in Manchester and the UK, but around the globe where both teams now have a swathe of support far and wide. As such, you can expect there to be plenty of interest in the betting markets, with bet365 Sport being a perfect option for punters based in the UK.
However, if you are based in the United States, where City and United fans are increasing in their numbers markedly, then check out BetRivers Sportsbook for a fantastic selection of soccer bets both on this game and across the whole of the soccer season.
Let’s quickly take a look at the full set of games taking place in the Premier League this weekend before we focus in on the game at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime.
Premier League Fixtures – Matchday 11
Kick off times are 3pm unless stated.
Friday 5th November
- Southampton v Aston Villa (8pm)
Saturday 6th November
- Manchester United v Manchester City (12.30pm)
- Brentford v Norwich City
- Chelsea v Burnley
- Crystal Palace v Wolves
- Brighton v Newcastle United (5.30pm)
Sunday 7th November
- Arsenal v Watford (2pm)
- Everton v Tottenham (2pm)
- Leeds United v Leicester City (2pm)
- West Ham United v Liverpool (4.30pm)
Currently it is Chelsea that lead the way in the Premier League on 25 points, three ahead of Liverpool in second on 22, while Manchester City are third on 20 points. Manchester United are in fifth place, three points behind West Ham in fourth, who have 20 points the same as City.
There are some key games this weekend with Chelsea looking to take a positive step forward at home to Burnley, especially with Liverpool facing West Ham, which means that the four teams below Chelsea in the table are facing a game against one of the others.
Manchester United v Manchester City Preview
The teams have met 185 times since their first clash in October 1891, which was a 5-1 win for
Manchester United in the FA Cup. Back then City were called Ardwick, while Manchester United were known as Newton Heath.
The first game under their current names came in December 1902 and resulted in a 1-1 draw between the two, who were both in Division Two (now the Championship) at the time.
In the 185 games in total, Manchester United have won the most with 77 victories compared to Manchester City’s 55 with 53 games drawn.
More recent games show that despite City enjoying more success in terms of trophies in recent times, it is United that have had the better of most of the more recent derby games. Of the last seven games, United have won four, City just two and neither of those wins have been in the Premier League (both have come in the League Cup).
Indeed, City’s last Premier League win was a 2-0 win at Old Trafford back in April 2019.
Last season, the teams drew 0-0 at Old Trafford in December, before City beat United 2-0 in the League Cup semi-final, however United gained revenge in the final Premier League game between the two, earning a 2-0 win at the Etihad.
Team News
Manchester United could be set to be without two key defenders for the game against City at
the weekend with Victor Lindelof set to be joined on the sidelines by Rafael Varane who picked up a knock against Atalanta.
Lindelof is thought to be close to returning, but it seems after the international break may be a more realistic time scale for his return. Eric Bailly is likely to cover in defence after the Ivorian international produced a superb display in midweek against Atalanta.
United will also be without Paul Pogba as he serves the second of a three-game domestic ban for his sending off against Liverpool.
- Predicted Manchester United XI – (4-2-3-1) – De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Shaw, Maguire, Bailly, McTominay, Fred, Fernandes, Rashford, Greenwood, Ronaldo.
Manchester City will be missing Bernard Mendy through suspension and off-the-field issues,
while Spanish winger Ferran Torres will likely miss out with a foot injury, though he is not expected to be sidelined for too much longer.
Pep Guardiola will have to do without defender Aymeric Laporte, who will serve a one match ban for his red card against Crystal Palace at the weekend.
Other than that, City have a relatively clean bill of health for Saturday lunchtime’s game and Pep Guardiola will know that it is a match City must get something from with City, Chelsea and Liverpool now opening up a small gap between themselves and the chasing pack.
- Predicted Manchester City XI – (4-3-3) – Ederson, Walker, Zinchenko, Dias, Stones, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Mahrez, Foden.
Manchester United v Manchester City Prediction And Tips
This should be a cracking game on Saturday lunchtime and it is hard to pick a winner. United got back to winning ways last week and then earned a good draw in the Champions League. City though lost in the Carabao Cup to West Ham on penalties, then lost to Palace at the weekend, so their form is not the best.
However, City’s best performances in this game of late have tended to come at Old Trafford and they have so much quality, plus need to stay in touch with Liverpool and Chelsea, that you know they are going to be fired up for this game.
United though have Cristiano Ronaldo in great form and as such, I think we may end up seeing a draw between the two here.
Back the draw at 3/1, or for a correct score bet, go for a 2-2 draw which is a 14/1 chance with bet365 Sport.
You can also get 8/5 on Cristiano Ronaldo to score at any time, which given his form at the moment looks a very solid bet.