Manchester City will welcome fierce rivals Manchester United to the Etihad this Sunday for the 51st edition of the Manchester Derby in the Premier League era.
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Key Statistics
Manchester City have scored an average of four goals across their last nine PL home games (W8, D1).
The hosts are unbeaten in their last nine games in all competitions (W, D2).
In the Premier League, they are unbeaten in 19 games (W14, D5).
They have kept three clean sheets from their last five games.
Manchester United have won their last four Premier League games.
They have won their last three away games keeping three clean sheets in each of those games.
The Red Devils have the head-to-head advantage in this fixture, overall, winning 77 times and losing 57 games against their rivals (D53).
Head to head
In 50 meetings in the Premier League era, Manchester City have beaten their rivals just 17 times, losing 24 times.
Latest performances in all competitions
Manchester City: W-W-W-D-W
Manchester United: W-L-W-W-W
Manchester City
Manchester City will resume their title defence when they take on local rivals Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s team have mounted an impressive title defence so far this season, with five wins and two draws, the Cityzens are yet to taste defeat and sit second in the Premier League table behind Arsenal with just one point separating them.
Manchester City have enjoyed success in the Manchester Derby in recent times, and secured home and away victories over their local rivals last season with a 7-1 aggregate, albeit under then manager Ralf Rangnick. But with a change of manager since then and some great summer signings, Guardiola knows that his side face a tougher test against their local rivals this time.
Manchester City have looked a lot more dangerous with the summer addition of Erling Haaland, who has so far scored 14 goals in all competitions for the Cityzens with eleven of those coming in the League alone, in just seven appearances. Pep Guardiola will be hoping that his bulky forward will continue to make the difference as City continue their assault on the Premier League and reinforce their dominance in the Manchester Derby.
Possible Manchester City starting line-up
Ederson Moraes; Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo; Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva; Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland.
Injured: Kalvin Phillips, John Stones
Doubtful: Aymeric Laporte
Suspended: None
Manchester United
Erik ten Hag has silenced his critics with the impressive turnaround that has been seen at Old Trafford in recent weeks after two straight defeats in his first two matches in charge, but he now comes face to face with his toughest challenge so far.
The Red Devils are currently on a four-game winning streak in the English Premier League, a run which has seen them break into the top five, and have shown tactical astuteness as has never been seen in recent times, as was seen in the game against Arsenal.
With the mood around the Theatre of Dreams a lot better now, Manchester United can dream once more. And for the first time in a while now, the Red Devils will come into this game with the belief that they can beat their local rivals.
Marcus Rashford has been instrumental to the success United have enjoyed in recent games, and Manchester United have been devastating on the counter with the pacy forward leading the lines.
However, with the absence of the Englishman through injury, Erik Ten Hag may turn to Cristiano Ronaldo who has started all seven of United’s games this season on the bench, to lead the lines against Pep Guardiola’s side.
After missing out on the Champions League last season, Manchester United have it all for this season, and with just one point separating them from the top four, the Red Devils will be more fired up to get a positive result against their arch-rivals.
Possible Manchester United starting line-up
David de Gea; Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia; Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho; Anthony; Cristiano Ronaldo.
Injured: Anthony Martial, Donny van de Beek, Martin Dubravka, Harry Maguire, Marcus Rashford
Doubtful: Brandon Williams
Suspended: None
Prediction
Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United