Manchester City vs Manchester United Prediction: Red Devils can cause more frustration
Manchester City are suffering a slump in form that has never been seen before in Pep Guardiola’s time at the helm and they would leave themselves with almost an impossible task of catching Premier League leaders Liverpool if they cannot beat Manchester United on Sunday.
The Citizens’ 2-0 Champions League defeat to Juventus on Wednesday means they have won just one of their last 10 matches, which is hardly ideal with a derby around the corner and Ruben Amorim, who supervised a 4-1 win over City at Sporting Lisbon last month, in the opposite dugout.
Team news
City need another defensive reshuffle as Rico Lewis is suspended following his red card in last week’s 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace.
Manuel Akanji and John Stones look unlikely to feature while Rodri, Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake are ruled out.
Jonny Evans is doubtful for United and Luke Shaw won’t feature, but Amorim has no other injury or suspension issues.
Tip 1 - Draw or Manchester United double chance @ 5/4
Manchester United triumphed the last time they faced arch rivals City in May’s FA Cup final and while their then manager Erik ten Hag appeared to be on borrowed time, few could have anticipated what has happened to Pep Guardiola’s side over the last couple of months.
The four-time defending Premier League champions went into the weekend eight points behind leaders Liverpool, having played a game more than the Anfield outfit, and Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat at Juventus in the Champions League means they go into the first Manchester derby of the season having won just one of their last 10 games.
New United manager Ruben Amorim has already played his role in that run after guiding Sporting Lisbon to a 4-1 Champions League victory over the Citizens and there looks a strong chance his new team can get something from their trip to the Etihad.
The Red Devils have suffered three defeats in their 15 games since they were beaten 3-0 at home to Tottenham at the end of September and they were unlucky to lose one of those 3-2 at West Ham.
They have suffered losses to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest since Amorim took over, but a midweek Europa League win at Viktoria Plzen should have given them a lift.
With City completely out of sorts - much has been made of midfielder Rodri’s absence, but they pout out a strong team in Italy in midweek - the home team are easily swerved at a short price and it is worth backing United to get something from their short trip.
Tip 2 - Rasmus Hojlund to score at any time @ 17/5
There have been a few United players who have livened up since Amorim took over and striker Rasmus Hojlund is one who has made a decent impression since the Portuguese’s Old Trafford arrival.
The Dane has endured a frustrating time since he joined United from Atalanta in August 2023, but he has scored twice in both of the Red Devils’ Europa League assignments under the new manager against Bodo/Glimt and Viktoria Plzen.
He was also on target in the 3-2 defeat to Forest and it looks worth chancing that he will get on the scoresheet again in Sunday’s big clash, particularly given City’s defensive vulnerabilities.