One of the biggest English Premier League games of the season takes place this Saturday, September 10th as it’s the Manchester derby. The match pits Manchester United hosting cross-town rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford with both clubs having the maximum nine points after three outings so far this campaign. The big story here is the rivalry between United manager Jose Mourinho and City boss Pep Guardiola, who both took over their respective clubs just this season.
Manchester United vs Manchester City – bet365 Soccer Betting Line:
- bet365 currently lists Man United as favorites to win the game at 5/4 with Man City 23/10 and a draw at 12/5
Manchester United vs Manchester City – Head to Head:
The clubs met twice in the league last season with Man United winning 1-0 away and drawing 0-0 at home. Man City had won four of the past five encounters before last season. Overall, the two Manchester sides have met 147 times in the past with Man United winning 58, losing 43 and drawing the other 46. They’ve also edged City in the goalscoring department 209 to 204 in those contests.
Manchester United – A Closer Look:
Manchester United is keeping pace with their cross-town rivals Manchester City with three victories from three games after downing Hull City 1-0 on the road two weeks ago. Young English international striker Marcus Rashford scored the game’s only goal in the second minute of injury time in the pouring rain. There have been a few minor player moves since then as manager Jose Mourinho sent Cameron Borthwick-Jackson out on loan to Championship League team Wolverhampton Wanderers for the season and fellow defender Tyler Blackett has joined Championship side Reading permanently. In addition, Will Keane was sent to Hull City.
Man United also beat Southampton 2-0 at home this season as well as downing Bournemouth in their opening match 3-1 on the road. German international Bastian Schweinsteiger had been told by Mourinho that he doesn’t fit into his plans this season, but the player has still been named to the Man United Premier League squad. United placed fifth in the Premier League last season with 66 points from 19 victories, nine draws and 10 defeats. They scored 49 goals and allowed 35 against and were tied in points with fourth-place Manchester City. Left-back Luke Shaw is expected to play on Saturday, but Henrikh Mkhitaryan is doubtful.
Manchester City – A Closer Look:
Manchester City is now three for three on the season with nine points and on top of the table after their 3-1 home victory over West Ham United two weeks ago. Sergio Aguero now has three goals on the season to co-lead the Golden Boot race with Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic. However, Aguero will miss the Manchester derby on Saturday as he’s been hit with a three-game suspension for violent conduct against West Ham after elbowing Winston Reid in the throat. Manager Pep Guardiola acquired goalkeeper Claudio Bravo from Barcelona and sent English international keeper Joe Hart to Torino of the Italian Serie A on loan for the season.
In addition, defender Eliaquim Mangala has been loaned to Spanish club Valencia and French midfielder Samir Nasri has been loaned to Sevilla, also of the Spanish La Liga. City has also beaten Stoke City 4-1 and Sunderland 2-1 at home this season. The club finished fourth in the Premier League last year with 66 points from 19 victories, nine draws and 10 defeats. They had the same record as Man United, but had a better goal differential by scoring 71 times and allowing 41 against. This allowed them to earn a berth in the 2016/17 European Champions League while United had to settle for the Europa League. Injury-wise, Defender and captain Vincent Kompany is out with a groin problem and is expected back some time in September.
Manchester United vs Manchester City – Takeaway:
This is a huge match early in the season between two legitimate title contenders, but it’s somewhat overshadowed by the Mourinho vs Guardiola rivalry. There are three huge points up for grabs fir the team brave enough to go after them.
Click here to read our review of the bet365 online sportsbook.
by Ian S. Palmer