Probably one of the most exciting editions of the Manchester derby in recent years will take place on Saturday as Jose Mourinho's United host Pep Guardiola's City. Both teams have a 100% record after the first three weekends of the Premier League season. Last season the Old Trafford match ended goalless while United surprisingly won 1-0 at the Etihad in March thanks to a goal from youngster Marcus Rashford. The two managers have met on 16 previous occasions, Guardiola grabbed seven wins while Mourinho triumphed just three times.
Manchester United have been enjoying a great start under new boss Jose Mourinho, three wins out of three league games so far with six goals scored and just one conceded. The Portuguese manager will have some squad selection problems ahead of the derby though as several players have fitness concerns. Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Luke Shaw picked up slight knocks on international duty and might not recover in time, while Antonio Valencia, Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo return from international duty just 24 hours before the match.
Manchester City have started life under Pep Guardiola with three wins out of three as well, and they also earned qualification to the Champions League group stage after comfortable playoff wins. They have scored nine league goals so far and conceded three. The problem is that Sergio Aguero, who scored three league goals so far, is suspended for three games after having picked up a red card in the previous match against West Ham. Vincent Kompany, Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane are all doubtful due to fitness issues.
Probable line-ups:
Man United: De Gea - Valencia, Bailly, Blind, Shaw - Pogba, Fellaini - Mata, Rooney, Martial - Ibrahimovic
Man City: Bravo - Sagna, Stones, Otamendi, Kolarov - Fernandinho - Sterling, De Bruyne, Silva, Nolito - Iheanacho
My prediction: 2-2 draw.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Man United win - 2.38
Draw - 3.25
Man City win - 3.40
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Comments (1)
sharpe
09/16/16, 11:09:18 PM
It was deserved City win I think, they were the smartest and the better team on the field. The counters of the away team were really deadly and United could loss...
It was deserved City win I think, they were the smartest and the better team on the field. The counters of the away team were really deadly and United could loss that even worst. Maybe it's too early to say it was a deciding title game but it was definitely deciding for the morale and the spirit of both sides.
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