Potentially the beginning of a new rivalry in Manchester, Pep Guardiola and his confidence-depleted City side welcome bitter rivals United – and their new coach Ruben Amorim – to the Etihad for the first derby of the League season.
This should be good.
Manchester City vs Manchester United | Sunday 15 December | The Etihad | 18:30
To Win (90 mins)
Manchester City 11/20
Draw 36/10
Manchester United 4/1
Manchester City
Manchester City have finally returned to winning ways in the league, this came by way of beating Forest earlier this month. In truth, it was a result they certainly deserved to achieve…but whether or not that signals a return to form and belief in the City camps leaves a bit to be desired in my opinion.
This should give us a better indication; I’m not entirely convinced by their defensive soundness, and the data suggests that teams have had more access to the City final third this season more than any other season.
With that being said, Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku have seemingly bolstered the City attack – which is usually incredibly reliant on the talent of Erling Haaland. Through Doku they have energy in the flanks and whilst he isn’t the most talented finisher, he certainly adds a dynamic to this side which opponents will struggle to deal with.
Manchester United
Has the Ruben Amorim bubble begun to burst at United? They are once again in the media for all of the wrong reasons and when they struggle on the pitch it only adds fuel to the fire.
For sure, Amorim will need time, and I think in the short amount he has had there is certainly positive indicators. Their shape and approach on the field feels more fluid, his handling of the team’s rotation is open and honest and with the media is simply incredible.
I don’t think this game is straightforward for United though, and even with City’s problems I think taking points off the big boys isn’t for United’s immediate future.
Predicted Lineup:
Manchester City: Ortega, Gvardiol, Ake, Stones, Walker, Gundogan, Silva, De Bruyne, Nunes, Doku, Haaland.
Manchester United: Onana, Yoro, de Ligt, Martinez, Diallo, Mainoo, Ugarte, Dalot, Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund
Prediction: Both Teams to Score + Over 2.5 Goals (9/4)
I know that it is a bit cowardly, but I’m not going to pick a winner here. Neither side justifies it to be fair and given the openness they both have in their defensive ranks, both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals seems like the justified play for me.
Written by Ryan Liberty