Premier League

Man Utd vs Man City prediction

Manchester United return from Germany on Tuesday night where they were knocked out of the Champions League at the hands of RB Leipzig, to face local rivals Manchester City in the derby on Saturday evening.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer guided his side to the double over the Citizens last season, winning 2-0 in this fixture back in March, having won 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium earlier in the campaign.

The Red Devils have been a Jeckyll and Hyde side so far this season and also during games. Their last two games saw terrible performances in the opening 45 minutes, followed up with inspired second halves. United head into the derby on a four-game winning streak in the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola was able to rotate his side for Wednesday’s 3-0 victory at home to Marseille in Europe as his side had already won the group. However, though Kyle Walker, Aymeric Laporte, Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez and Ferran Torres all started, many of whom I would expect to be named on the teamsheet this weekend too.

Manchester City hadn’t won back-to-back Premier League games this season until last weekend when they beat Fulham 2-0 at home, having thrashed Burnley 5-0 the weekend before. Defeats this season have been 0-2 away to Tottenham Hotspur and 2-5 at home by Leicester City. They have also been held to draws at both Leeds United and West Ham United, whilst only beating Sheffield United 1-0 at the end of October.

Therefore, neither side have been too consistent, but United’s winning streak in the league matched by the importance of bouncing back from Tuesday’s defeat makes me think they’re the better value in this match. To be honest, I’m surprised to see Manchester City odds on once again for this match.

Whether Sergio Aguero is fit to start this one remains to be seen, I’m still not sold on the defence, which has included John Stones in the previous two Premier League games and I think the likes of Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Anthony Martial, if fit, can punish the visitors on Saturday.

Best bet: Lay Manchester City at 1.78 with Betfair