Manchester United V Manchester City – Sunday 20th September

 

Manchester United V Manchester City

 

 

Kick-Off: Sunday 20^th September – 13:30 GMT

Venue: Old Trafford

 

 

 

Manchester United

 

League Position: 2^nd

Recent Form: WLWWW

 

  

This is the fixture of the whole entire weekend as the two giants of Manchester go at it, tooth and nail, as they aim to record a bitter victory over one another. Not only is there three points up for grabs but also local bragging rights, something United had the pleasure of enjoying last season, beating Man City 2-0 when the pair last met at Old Trafford. However, Sir Alex Ferguson now finds himself up against an old adversary in the form of former United player; Mark Hughes, and the pair have already had a war of words about who is the superior team in Manchester. Now we will find out… that’s it’s still Manchester United!

 

 

Man Utd were in a ruthless mood at the weekend when they brushed aside Harry Redknapp’s inform Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday’s live ESPN encounter. Spurs took the lead early on in that game but United’s resilience & charachter shone through as they eventually came away from London smelling of roses, surprise – surprise, winning 3-1. However, this game is of more importance as local rivals City aim to dethrone the current champions of England.

 

 

Since United’s shock defeat away at Burnley, losing 1-0 at Turf Moor several weeks ago, Sir Alex & Co have gone on to win their following three fixtures, all against fairly tricky opponents. A 5-0 win away at Wigan was hardly surprising but stunning victory’s at home to Arsenal and away at Tottenham will have given the United dressing room a huge lift, and now no side, even an arrogant Man City, will want to face United in the mood they’re currently in. Not only have the Red Devils won three on the bounce but they’ve scored ten goals in just three games, conceding just two at the other end.

 

 

Manchester United won’t approach this game with any caution. They will go for the throat of City right from the off and we expect a frantic start from the English champions. One mystery factor ahead of this derby encounter will be who starts up front for United. Berbatov didn’t have the best of times back at White Hart Lane on Sunday so Michael Owen could enter the fray for this game, while Paul Scholes will miss out through suspension after receiving two yellow cards away at Tottenham.

 

 

Manchester City

 

League Position: 3rd

Recent Form: WWWW

 

  

Manchester City have never entered into a Manchester derby with such prolific form before and they do represent some stiff opposition for the eleven time champions of England. Their emphatic 4-2 victory over Arsenal last weekend will have sent City fans onto cloud nine and they will hold no fears when they enter the stadium of dreams.

  

 

Victories away at Blackburn & Portsmouth, in combination with two home wins over Wolves & Arsenal, has given City an immaculate record in the league. City’s biggest weakness was apparently in their defence but three clean sheets in their opening four fixtures has thrown away any potential ammunition for us to slate their weak defence, on paper anyway. However, the first team of any real quality to contest a league game with City has been Arsenal and, although Man City did win in a convincing manner, Arsenal did find their goal twice, with ease it has to be said. Now they head over to Old Trafford where a United side who’ve scored ten goals in just three games await them.

 

 

If City are emulate the success they enjoyed here two seasons ago when they beat the Red Devils with two Benjani goals, they will need to keep it tight at the back and be patient. Sir Alex will want to put his marker down here with a comprehensive victory over City and the ‘Reds’ will go after City right from the off. Mark Hughes will need to get his team into the position where they can ride the United wave and then give United a wipe out of their own.

 

 

Emmanuel Adebayor has been the catalyst for City’s early success, scoring in all four of City’s four games thus far, but he could miss this fixture if the FA have anything to do with it. His disgraceful display against Arsenal will almost certainly see him receiving a hefty ban but whether he gets punished ahead of this game remains to be seen. If he does miss out then he will leave a huge void up front, one City probably won’t fill. Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz and Benjani are all unavailable so the goalscoring omen will fall solely on the shoulders of that feisty Welsh veteran – Craig Bellamy.

 

 

Head-to-Head:

 

 

Man Utd W: 5 Man City W: 3 Draws: 2

 

It’s the red side of Manchester who have enjoyed the vast amount of fortunes in previous meetings and it was Man Utd who completed a league double over City last season, with Sir Alex getting one over on Mark Hughes both at Old Trafford and at The City of Manchester stadium. City’s last victory at Old Trafford came two seasons ago when Benjani scored twice to hand City a rare success on United soil, with City winning 2-0 that day.

 

 

 

Over 2.5 Goals: 3 Under 2.5 Goals: 3

 

As you can see this has been a very tight fixture in the past, with goals few and far between. Neither of the two meetings last season produced three or more goals but two of the last three encounters at Old Trafford have actually finished Over 2.5 Goals. However, Under 2.5 does look the most likely of outcomes here, but, you never know.

 

 

 

Match Verdict: Manchester United to WIN – 4/6 PaddyPower

 

The absence of Emmanuel Adebayor looks a certainty and after the start he has had, he will be irreplaceable.. LITERALLY! Carlos Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz are both out through injury so Craig Bellamy will probably have to play the lone ranger up front and that doesn’t sound good for City fans. United, on the other hand, have no fresh injury qualms and could even welcome back Rio Ferdinand. The England international has returned to training and looks set to feature against City, while Wayne Rooney will be fresh after only playing 60 minutes in midweek. It’s going in United’s favour, we reckon the result in this game will also go the ‘Red Devils’ way.

 

 

Match Odds:

 

 

Manchester United – 4/6 PaddyPower

 

Manchester City – 5/1 888Sport

 

Draw – 11/4 Boylesports

 

 

 

SoccerBetting Tip: Wayne Rooney First Goalscorer – 4/1 Bet365