Will United finally meet City on level terms again?

Strictly speaking, we have to look back a few years, when the Manchester derby was still played under entirely even signs. In previous seasons, however, it was always the Citizens who went into the explosive city duels with a clear role as favourites. In 2023, there is every reason to believe that the Red Devils will meet the Sky Blues on an equal footing. Or?

Judging by recent impressions, that definitely seems to be the case. Erik ten Hag’s side have recently celebrated eight competitive match wins in a row and have yet to concede a goal at all in five games since the World Cup break.

Guardiola’s side, meanwhile, have already allowed themselves a slip or two, but that doesn’t change the fact that, ahead of the Manchester United v Manchester City derby, the tip on the reigning champions successfully defending their title is still seen as far more likely.

For the upcoming encounter, City also seem to have the better cards on balance according to the bookmakers’ assessments. That verdict is most likely to be based on how the first leg went, as two trebles from Haaland and Foden saw the sky-blue and white prevail 6-3 in early October. Such a one-sided result tends not to be expected on Saturday lunchtime. However, you could still do well with a Manchester United vs Manchester City prediction on three or more goals after 90 minutes.

Manchester United – Statistics & current form

What did Erik ten Hag have to endure in his early months? The Dutch coach was labelled a bad buy by the media early on and was also harshly criticised for his handling of the world stars around Cristiano Ronaldo. In the meantime, the former Ajax coach, who incidentally also has a Bayern past, is being celebrated at the English record champions. And quite rightly so!

In recent weeks and months, Ten Hag has impressively managed to stabilise the world club from Manchester to such an extent that it consistently delivers good performances. Across all competitions, the Red Devils have won all of their last eight matches. After the World Cup break alone, United have five wins in five matches. The English record champions have not conceded a single goal.

Despite this impressive run, which has already lifted the red and white to fourth place in the standings, it should not be forgotten that their opponents have not been particularly prominent in the course of their run of success.

Are United finally convincing against City again?

It will be all the more interesting to see whether Casemiro and Co. can conjure up their A-game on the green against a direct competitor. Especially defensively, the Red Devils will have to step it up a notch or two compared to their last encounters with City, as they have conceded a total of twelve goals in the last three encounters alone.

The fact that Manchester United have collected the most points of all Premier League clubs since 22 August gives hope for a positive result and a lasting sense of achievement. Eleven of the past 15 games in the English top flight have been won. In as many as ten of the 17 matches, a bet on the over 2.5 would have gone through. At home at Old Trafford in five of eight cases. In our eyes, the odds on at least three goals in the course of the match between Manchester United and Manchester City also offer attractive value.

This is due in no small part to the form of Marcus Rashford, who has scored at least once in all five of his inter-competition games since the World Cup break. During the week, he scored a brace in a 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic to book a place in the League Cup semi-finals. The only problem is that the 25-year-old has failed to score in his past five matches against City and has only ever fired one shot on target.

Predicted Manchester United line-up:
De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial

Last matches played by Manchester United:

Carabao Cup
11/01/2023 – Manchester United 3 – 0 Charlton

FA Cup
07/01/2023 – Manchester United 3 – 1 Everton

Premier League
04/01/2023 – Manchester United 3 – 0 Bournemouth

31/12/2022  – Wolverhampton 0 – 1 Manchester United

28/12/2022  – Manchester United 3 – 0 Nottingham Forest

Manchester City – Statistics & current form

While Manchester United, as mentioned, managed to reach the semifinals of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, the Citizens threw away their first title chance a day later. Surprisingly, Guardiola’s team lost 0:2 at Southampton and presented such a weak performance that even the Catalan coach struggled for words afterwards. However, not too much should be read into this bitter defeat, as Pep was without several key players such as de Bruyne and Haaland in his starting eleven.

Nevertheless, it has already become apparent in the two most recent Premier League games that the Sky Blues are currently lacking a bit of effectiveness in their forward play. At home against Everton, despite total dominance, they only managed a disappointing 1-1 draw. At Stamford Bridge, they only managed one goal of their own in a 1-0 win against Chelsea. Perhaps that is why the bookmakers are offering relatively high odds on the over 2.5 between Manchester United and Manchester City.

City in record chase at the Theatre of Dreams

However, we believe that the runners-up, who are still five points behind Arsenal and therefore have their work cut out for them in the Premier League title race, have enough quality to at least double their tally against their city rivals. It could even be a new record, as City have never scored more than eight goals in the first and second legs of a league season. After scoring six goals just over three months ago, they would now need three or more of their own.

For Citizens coach Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, it is a special game. For the 500th time, the perfectionist will be on the sidelines in a first league match. The former Barcelona professional has won 379 of his 499 games so far. Since 2008/09, there has been no other coach in Europe’s top five leagues with at least 100 first division games who can boast a similarly high win rate.

Speaking of records, Erling Haaland and/or Phil Foden could also set a new best on Saturday lunchtime. Should one of the two stars score at least a brace, he would be the first to do so in both the first and second legs against United in a single season. Norwegian forward Haaland in particular, of course, comes in as a potential goalscorer.

Predicted Manchester City line-up:
Ederson; Walker, Stones, Akanji, Ake; De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish

Last matches played by Manchester City:

Carabao Cup
12/01/2023 – Southampton 2 – 0 Manchester City

FA Cup
08/01/2023 – Manchester City 4 – 0 Chelsea FC

Premier League
06/01/2023 – Chelsea FC 0 – 1 Manchester City

31/12/2022 – Manchester City 1 – 1 Everton

29/12/2022 – Leeds 1 – 3 Manchester City

Manchester United – Manchester City Direct comparison / H2H record

For the first time since 2006, the two city rivals face each other at such an early stage of a calendar year. The kick-off time of this eagerly awaited derby on Saturday lunchtime at 13:30 also comes as a bit of a surprise.

Unsurprisingly, however, the Citizens have usually had the upper hand in this pairing of late. The most recent three Premier League clashes, for example, have all gone to the Sky Blues, who have won 6-3, 4-1 and 2-0. United’s last PL home win dates back to the 2019/20 season. Incidentally, the Red Devils have not lost more Premier League games in front of a home crowd against any other club in their own club history than they have against their arch-rivals in light blue and white (eight).

Manchester United – Manchester City Tip

The 20th matchday in the Premier League offers a comprehensive number of highlights. In the North London derby Tottenham and Arsenal face each other on Sunday. One day earlier, Manchester United and Manchester City will meet. Betting odds of 1.85 at the top on the away win imply a fairly clear favourite role in favour of the Sky Blues, who, however, have recently even recorded somewhat weaker results than their city rivals.

Under Erik ten Hag, the English record champions have recently shown themselves to be very strong and stable. Five consecutive victories without conceding a goal were celebrated after the World Cup break. However, the fourth-placed team in the table was rarely really challenged. That will definitely change at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime from 1:30 p.m.

Because we still remember the first leg at the beginning of October, which the Citizens won 6:3, and also expect two confident and individually very well-stocked teams, our first approach between Manchester United and Manchester City is to bet on at least three goals in the course of the game. A 1.72 is offered for the over 2.5. Seven units is the bet we choose