The blue side of Manchester hosts the red side in what is expected to be a thrilling Manchester derby. Manchester United head into this match as the underdogs, and 11 points behind their noisy neighbours.
Current Champions Manchester City are expected to win to keep pace with league leaders Liverpool, who they are 11 points adrift of at the top. In saying that, a Manchester derby is rarely easily won.
Pep Guardiola and his team were looking a little deflated in November, winning only two of six matches in all competitions. A disheartening 3-1 beat to Liverpool in the league, followed up with a 2-2 draw with Newcastle a couple of weeks later has some ruling City out of the title race.
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However, City are not playing terribly. Liverpool’s unbelievable form is making City look worse, and Pep’s team have put in some stellar displays. The 2-1 victory over Chelsea that was sandwiched in-between the Newcastle draw and Liverpool loss was fantastic. City also showed they will keep fighting with an impressive 4-1 victory over Burnley on Tuesday evening.
Manchester United haven’t had much to shout about this season, and are enduring their worst Premier League season in 30 years.
They have won only five of the opening 15 games (half of city’s total) and have lost four. Goals have been coming, but they have scored 20 less than their city rivals. Worryingly, they have also only kept two clean sheets all season.
City’s all-time top scorer Sergio Aguero has all but been ruled out from taking part. He picked up a knock in City’s 2-1 win over Chelsea and isn’t expected to be match fit for at least another week.
In his place, Gabriel Jesus will likely step up. The Brazilian bagged a brace versus Burnley so comes in on good form.
Pep Guardiola has a decent record in Manchester derbies having lost only one in the league during his tenure. That was a 3-2 loss at home last April. Since then, City have won 3-1 and 2-0. It’s no surprise therefore that City are favourites.
