Manchester City welcome Manchester United to Etihad Stadium in a blockbuster Manchester derby on Super Sunday.
Victory would see Man City re-open a six point lead over Liverpool in the title race, whereas Man Utd will stay fourth with a win even if they briefly lose the position pre-match to Arsenal who play in mid-afternoon.
Team News
Ruben Dias is ruled out for Man City after suffering a hamstring injury in their midweek FA Cup win at Peterborough.
Nathan Ake (knock) is ruled out alongside the already absent trio of; Zack Steffen (shoulder), Cole Palmer (foot) and Benjamin Mendy (personal).
Man Utd is set to welcome Scott McTominay back from illness after he missed their last two matches.
Edinson Cavani is also set to be in contention but Mason Greenwood (personal) remains absent.
Stat Attack
- Man City have claimed only four points from their last five league meetings against Man Utd (W1, D1, L3).
- Man Utd have lost just one of their last five league visits to Etihad Stadium (W3, D1, L1).
- City have conceded twice in each of their last two Manchester derbies played at home against Utd (L2).
- Joao Cancelo has produced more shots in the Premier League this season than any other Man City player, having delivered 58 shots in 25 appearances.
- Anthony Elanga’s three goals for Utd this season across all competitions have been scored away from home, with two of his three goals netted in the final ten minutes.
Prediction
Despite comfortably dominating Peterborough in midweek, Man City did struggle at times in the final third but I am expecting them to hit back here and take risks because their Champions League tie is already over ahead of the second leg on Wednesday.
Man Utd meanwhile need a huge improvement because they were simply sloppy against Watford last weekend, summed up by awful finishing to wasteful attacks despite positive energy in movement and attacking build-ups.
I however just can’t see Utd finding that edge here against a dangerous Man City team who really should cruise to a comfortable win if play at their best, especially now they’re back on home turf again after two solid if tricky away displays.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Manchester United
Result: Manchester City 4-1 Manchester United