Manchester City won their third consecutive Carabao Cup with victory over Aston Villa on Sunday, but can they extend their winning run in the Premier League when they travel to bitter local rivals Manchester United this weekend?
Manchester United vs Manchester City Preview
Despite Liverpool’s shock defeat by Watford last weekend, the league leaders still maintain a 22-point advantage at the top of the table having played a game more than the reigning champions.
There’s been talk of a wobble since their FA Cup elimination at the hands of Chelsea in midweek, and their Champions League loss against Atletico Madrid, but surely Jurgen Klopp’s side are destined for the title.
Nonetheless, Pep Guardiola’s City are a professional group and are unlikely to let the gap between them and their inevitable successors as champions knock them off their stride.
While it’s been a disappointing season, City’s recent winning streak—they’ve won four of their last six games in the league—has taken them seven points clear of Leicester City, and they remain one of the finest teams in the world.
While their Wembley victory over Villa perhaps wasn’t as emphatic as some had expected, they nonetheless arrive at Old Trafford on Sunday having won a third consecutive League Cup.
And then there is the bragging rights, and how City would love to inflict further woe on their old rivals at their own hallowed ground and make things trickier for United in their race for Champions League football.
The Red Devils toiled to a point away at Everton last weekend, and their vulnerabilities may well be exposed by this rampant City team.
Getty Images
Manchester United vs Manchester City Team News
After picking up another hamstring injury last month, the unfortunate Aymeric Laporte is set for another spell on the sidelines, and will likely be out of action for the best part of a month.
Fernandinho, John Stones, Eric Garcia and Nicolas Otamendi are Guardiola’s options in the heart of the defence.
Leroy Sane is an outside bet to make the matchday squad, but he’s unlikely to be risked as he continues his comeback from a long-term injury absence.
United also have their own injury concerns, with Paul Pogba, also nearing a return after a long-term injury, not set to return until later in the month.
Daniel James is also set to miss out, while Marcus Rashford is definitely out, with a return date pencilled in for the season’s end.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Axel Tuanzebe are short of match fitness, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka struggled with a back injury against Everton, and it remains to be seen whether he will return in time.
Getty Images
Manchester United vs Manchester City Key Facts & Stats
The form book is certainly on City’s side going into this one; they’ve won their last three matches against United at Old Trafford, and away teams have tended to be strong in the recent meetings between these two.
Six of the seven bouts between these two sides have been won by the travelling team, with the only exception being City’s 3-1 victory in November 2018.
However, this term, Guardiola’s side has struggled to deal with the Red Devils.
United have beaten the Sky Blues twice—in the league and the League Cup—and they last beat their near-neighbours three times in a season in the 2009-10 campaign.
Indeed, should United win on Sunday, it would be the first time they’ve done the league double over their rivals since 2010, during the halcyon days of Sir Alex Ferguson.
United have looked solid in front of their own fans in recent weeks—keeping clean sheets in three of their last four home games—but they must be at their best to silence City, with Guardiola winning all three of his away Premier League matches at Old Trafford.
Can he become the first Premier League manager to win four matches away at the famous old ground?
Getty Images
Manchester United vs Manchester City Prediction
United have impressed at home in recent fixtures, and the arrival of Bruno Fernandes gives them an additional—and potentially lethal—attacking threat.
However, their limitations were evident against Everton last weekend, as they toiled for much of the contest and were arguably fortunate to escape with a point.
Against City, they’ll have their work cut out, with both sides’ injury records also making for encouraging reading for Guardiola.
The Spaniard knows how to get the job done at Old Trafford, and with his side still riding high after last weekend’s cup success, City are favourites to clinch all three points.
Powerhorse
This article is brought to you by Powerhorse.