Man United v Man City: Honours even in tight Manchester Derby
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Manchester United host city rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford this weekend in the biggest game of the season so far.
Jose Mourinho’s team will be looking to make a dint in City’s eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Pep Guardiola’s outfit will hope to make it 14 wins-in-a-row that will put them level with Arsenal’s record of 14.
The odds suggest this could be a tight game. United are outsiders at 11/5, with City at 23/20. You can back the draw at 12/5.
This Manchester derby is particularly intriguing for a number of reasons. Mourinho’s side must win to make this a proper title race.
Guardiola will know that a point – at least – will suffice. But then does he ever play for a draw? It’s not likely.
City have been iffy at the back in recent weeks and lost for the first time in 27 games in midweek against Shakhtar Donetsk.
John Stones has been a big miss with the Citizens conceding in five of the six games he’s been out for. Both Teams To Score has to be the banker bet here at 4/6.
United are unbeaten in 40 games at Old Trafford and that’s a key statistic here. Especially when you consider how Mourinho sets his sides up in big games.
The Portuguese tactician won’t fall into the trap of attacking City too much. But he will look to play on the counter in a similar way to how they beat Arsenal last weekend.
United waited for individual errors from the Gunners and pounced. City, too, will likely make an unforced error at some stage.
Paul Pogba is suspended and he’ll be a key miss but it could help Mourinho’s outfit be more disciplined in defence.
United are certainly the value pick in terms of the match odds market at 11/5. But it’s the Draw that we really fancy at 12/5.
You can also back the Draw and Both Teams To Score at 10/3.
With United likely to play on the break and counter at speed, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard will be dangerous.
Martial is 11/5 to score Anytime, with Lingard at 3/1. For City, Sergio Aguero is a 13/10 Anytime shot and 7/2 to score first.
We should have a fascinating encounter in-store.
Click here for the latest Man United v Man City odds.
All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication
