Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho will face off in the first Manchester derby of the season this weekend as Manchester City take on Manchester United at the Etihad.
Unbeaten City currently sit top of the Premier League and are threatening to dominate the English top-flight once again this season, while United are floundering in seventh – far from where they wish to be. But after United temporarily stopped City from winning title with a comeback victory at the Etihad last season, it would be foolish to make the assumption that Sunday’s result is a forgone conclusion. Indeed, anything can happen in a Manchester derby, and this one is set to be a thrilling contest.
Read on for Man City v Man United live stream options, team news, predicted XIs, stats and TV channel info.
When is Man City vs Man United?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Date: Sunday, 11 November
Kick-off: 4:3o PM BST
Match preview
Man City will be seeking revenge after last season’s embarrassing collapse at the hands of their fiercest rivals. United’s 3-2 win at the Etihad prevented City from winning the Premier League – albeit only for a few days – and the home players won’t have forgotten about it.
Guardiola’s men are unbeaten so far this term and won’t want that to end in the most anticipated match of the campaign. With nine wins from 11 matches, the hosts will be confident they can take all three points. That said, Mourinho knows how to spoil a party, as he proved last season. United are unbeaten in four Premier League matches, winning three, and will be desperate for a repeat of April’s shock comeback in the derby. What’s more, losing would be disastrous for United even at such an early stage of the campaign. They have already lost three league games, and another defeat would see them fall 12 points behind City.
United aren’t realistically expected to challenge for the title, but being so far off top spot in November is an unacceptable possibility for a fanbase with high expectations.
Where can I watch live?
Man City vs Man United can be viewed by UK residents on Sky Sports Main Event, channel 401 on Sky and channel 501 for Virgin Media users.
The game is also available to watch on fuboTV for US-based viewers.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about fuboTV
Can free-scoring Man City add to their goal tally?
City have already scored 33 Premier League goals this season, averaging three per game. They’ve put five or more goals past four teams, and three of those thrashings came at the Etihad against Huddersfield Town, Burnley and Southampton respectively. They also scored six against Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek.
That said, things have been tighter for City against ‘big six’ opponents. They drew 0-0 with Liverpool, beat Tottenham 1-0 and beat Arsenal 2-0. All of those games were away, though; this is their first match against one of last season’s top six at the Etihad.
Will Alexis Sanchez come good in the perfect game?
Before he joined United from Arsenal back in January, Alexis Sanchez was heavily linked with a move to the other side of Manchester. According to BBC Sport, City pulled out of a deal to sign the Chilean because of his wage demands, which would have made him City’s highest-paid player.
It’s safe to say Sanchez has been far from a success at United. He has scored just four times in 28 appearances across all competitions for the Red Devils. But the prospect of coming good against the club that snubbed him in January may provoke a standout performance from the 29-year-old.
How will European exploits have an effect?
Both sides played demanding Champions League fixtures on Wednesday night. Man City beat Shakhtar Donetsk 6-0 at home – yet another thrashing at the Etihad – while United sealed a surprise 2-1 win at Juventus despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s brilliant opener.
City’s game will have perhaps felt like a stroll in the park compared to United’s hard-fought victory. But the morale boost of winning at Juventus could do wonders for the visitors’ confidence.
Head-to-head
United have a better record than City overall, winning 73 of the 176 meetings dating all the way back to the late 19th century.
However, City have won six of the last 12 encounters, drawing two and losing four.
Man City wins: 51 Draws: 52 Man United wins: 73
Team news
Before Man United’s win at Juventus on Wednesday, Mourinho admitted he does not know if Romelu Lukaku will be fit for the derby, according to the club’s official website. Antonio Valencia could make his first start in over a month after training ahead of Juventus – he wasn’t in the squad, though.
As for City, Kevin De Bruyne is sidelined with a knee injury.
Predicted Man City XI v Man Utd: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Mendy; Fernandinho, Bernardo Silva, David Silva; Mahrez, Sterling, Aguero.
Predicted Man Utd XI v Man City: De Gea; Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw; Fellaini, Matic, Pogba; Mata, Martial, Rashford.
Predictions & Betting Tips
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1. Over 2.5 home goals @ 6/5
City haven’t scored three goals in a Manchester derby since a 3-0 win at Old Trafford in March 2014. But the hosts are absolutely flying at the Etihad this term, and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see them hit United for three or more.
Meanwhile, United have conceded three goals against Brighton, West Ham and Tottenham already this season.
Key stat: Man City have scored three or more goals in four of their six home league games so far this season.
Tip: Over 2.5 home goals @ 6/5 with William Hill – bet here.
Odds correct at time of publishing (08/11/2018, 17:00)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
2. Sergio Aguero to score first @ 3/1
Sergio Aguero has scored eight goals in nine appearances against Man United, although he failed to find the net in either derby last season. Perhaps that will spur him on to bag a goal this weekend.
The Argentinian has scored 10 goals in 14 appearances across all competitions this term, including seven in 11 Premier League outings.
Key stat: Only four teams – Newcastle, Chelsea, Tottenham and Watford – have conceded more goals to Sergio Aguero than Man United (10, level with five clubs).
Tip: Sergio Aguero to score first @ 3/1 with William Hill – bet here.
Odds correct at time of publishing (08/11/2018, 17:00)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
3. Man City to win and both teams to score @ 13/8
Ultimately, if the tips above are to come through then Man City are likely to win the game. But United showed last season they are able to score at the Etihad regardless of the hosts’ qualities.
Huddersfield and Southampton have both managed to find the net at City this term, making United’s chances of finding a way through more probable.
Key stat: Both teams have scored in seven of the last 14 Manchester derbies.
Tip: Man City to win and both teams to score @ 13/8 with William Hill – bet here.
Odds correct at time of publishing (08/11/2018, 17:00)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
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