In what’s shaping up to be a tense Manchester derby, the pressure is on both sides, but particularly on Manchester City following two consecutive losses.
Despite their recent struggles, some analysts believe that with Pep Guardiola at the helm, the Citizens can still turn their season around.
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The first derby of the season comes at a tricky time for Manchester City. They’ve dropped key points in back-to-back Premier League games, a rare stumble for the champions.
Their recent 2-1 defeat to Brighton and a 2-0 loss to Tottenham have exposed significant defensive lapses. With Liverpool already beginning to pull away, City can’t afford any more slip-ups.
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s start to the season has been equally shaky, with just four points from their first three games.
Their defense has been a major concern, conceding four goals without a single clean sheet. Manager Ruben Amorim is under intense pressure after a shocking EFL Cup defeat to Grimsby Town.
On the latest episode of Hit the Target, powered by Hollywoodbets, analyst Marc Strydom weighed in on United’s struggles, stating, “There’s a lot of work that needs to happen.
He’s shipped out some players, he’s brought in some players. I think it’s about time that they buy into his philosophy and start to play for the name on the front instead of the name on the back of the shirt.”
Despite City’s recent form, fellow analyst Siphesihle Soni believes the team still holds the upper hand, thanks to their manager. Soni noted on the show that this “is unusual for City, they usually just shoot from the start and show their intent of challenging for the league.”
He went on to express his confidence in Guardiola, a man he regards as a tactical mastermind. “Guardiola is one of the greatest tacticians, he can still turn things around,” Soni said, highlighting the Spaniard’s ability to navigate through challenging periods.
With a strong home advantage and a superior attacking record, City is expected to edge out United.
Tune into the latest episode of Hit the Target, powered by Hollywoodbets, for more!