Manchester City host Manchester United in a massive Manchester derby as both teams look to kick-start their Premier League campaigns.
Victory by an one-goal margin will see Man City climb to ninth in the table, but a win by two goals or more will lift Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens up to eighth.
Man Utd can go eighth if they win by an one-goal margin, but a winning margin of two goals or more would put Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils up to sixth.
Team News
John Stones is a doubt for Man City after he withdrew from international duty for England with a muscle injury.
Rayan Cherki (hamstring), Omar Marmoush (unspecified), Rayan Ait-Nouri (ankle) and Mateo Kovacic (Achilles) are ruled out.
Marcus Bettinelli, Josko Gvardiol (both knock), Kalvin Phillips (Achilles), Abdukodir Khusanov (muscle), Phil Foden (fitness) and Savinho (unspecified) could return if pass late fitness checks.
Gianluigi Donnarumma could make his debut for City in goal following his deadline day move from PSG.
Man Utd will be without Diogo Dalot after he withdrew from international duty for Portugal with a muscle injury.
Matheus Cunha (hamstring), Mason Mount (unspecified) and Lisandro Martinez (knee) are ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Man City host Man Utd at Etihad Stadium on Sunday 14 September at 4:30pm BST, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Man Utd have won three of their last seven league visits to Man City (W3, L4).
- The last time that the Manchester Derby had consecutive goalless draws came in April 1973 and March 1974.
- City are looking to avoid suffering three consecutive league defeats for the first time since a four-match streak from November – December 2024.
- Bryan Mbeumo and Diogo Dalot have played more successful open play crosses than any other Utd player in their first three league games of the season.
Prediction
After their ruthless opening-day victory at Wolves, Man City have been tactically outclassed in their last two matches by Tottenham and Brighton and it is concerning how they were easily outplayed by the latter as the second half wore on with little creative fightback.
Utd meanwhile were simply lucky to beat Burnley because whilst their attack seemed to finally click in terms of shot conversion, their defending still is quite suspect and that is even before talking about their goalkeepers as Altay Bayinder hasn’t earned a start here over new signing – Senne Lammens.
Nevertheless this is a crucial game for both teams if want to properly kick-start their campaign and push for European qualification, but City’s creativity and injury issues will put more pressure on the likes of Foden and Erling Haaland to deliver the goods here.
Utd meanwhile are difficult to judge because their attack could kick on after the win over Burnley or return to their sloppy opening two performances, although their defensive play is a long-term project still but if they can quieten Haaland, they might just nick a draw.
Prediction: Man City 1-1 Man Utd
Result: Man City 3-0 Man Utd
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