Manchester United welcome Manchester City to Old Trafford for a pivotal Manchester derby, which could define this season’s Premier League.
Victory for Man City will not only send them top but put the title in their own hands with a single point lead over Liverpool entering the final three rounds of this season.
United meanwhile can place further pressure on their London rivals in the race for a top four finish, if can get all three points here ahead of Sunday’s crucial showdown with Chelsea.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesManchester City will be without Kevin de Bruyne who is sidelined with a muscular injury that he suffered during Saturday’s win over Tottenham.
Claudio Bravo remains City’s only long-term absentee as he continues his rehabilitation from a reputed Achilles tendon.
Manchester United could welcome Ander Herrera back from a hamstring injury but Eric Bailly remains a doubt with concussion despite resuming training this week.
Phil Jones (knock) and Antonio Valencia (muscular) are ruled out whilst Luke Shaw returns after serving a two match domestic ban.
Stat Attack
- Manchester United are unbeaten in three of last five meetings with Manchester City in all competitions (W2, D1, L2).
- Both teams have scored in four of last five league meetings, with the other finishing goalless.
- City have won five of their last seven trips to Old Trafford (W5, D1, L1).
- Man City’s David Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and United’s Paul Pogba are the only players to score more than once in last three Manchester derbies.
- One goal here will see Sergio Aguero become the outright top scorer in the Manchester derby, currently sitting joint top alongside United’s Wayne Rooney with 11 goals each.
- United are on course to produce less than 20,000 passes for the first time since the 2013-14 season when they managed 18,894.
- Ederson has currently assisted in one of Man City’s league goals this season whereas David de Gea is yet to do so for United.
Prediction
After Sunday’s shambolic display at Everton, Manchester United really need to raise their game here because City have hardly been at their best lately so first goal here is probably going to be key.
If United get it then a draw would be a likely result but if it goes the way of the Citizens, expect a comfortable victory because I can’t see United recovering from conceding first.
The Red Devils however needs a goal just for morale so am going for a close result even if performance would suggest otherwise.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City
Jake predicts: Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City
Result: Manchester United 0-2 Manchester City