The biggest game of the Premier League so far takes place on Saturday lunchtime, with Manchester United taking on Manchester City at Old Trafford (kick off 12:30pm). Intriguingly it also pits arguably the two highest profile managers in the world against each other, Jose Mourinho vs Pep Guardiola.  

Manchester United

Manchester United come into this game with the advantage of a home crowd behind them, and a much stronger looking spine to the team this season. De Gea, Bailly, Pogba and Ibrahimovic have given Man Utd an air of authority and physical presence which creates confidence. Jose Mourinho as you would expect has the team organised, and difficult to breakdown. With Mata, Rashford, Rooney, Ibrahimovic, Man Utd have more than enough attacking talent to hurt City at the back.

I think Man Utd can get at City's central defence which hasn’t really been tested so far this season. Ibrahimovic will relish the challenge against Bravo and a city defence still without Vincent Kompany. Ibrahimovic will be keen to add to his three Premier League goals, and it’s widely known Ibrahimovic isn’t Guardiola’s biggest fan.

Given Marcus Rashford’s impressive hat-trick for England U21’s he may get the nod ahead of an out of sorts Anthony Martial. While other notable team news for Utd includes, Luke Shaw being available for selection again, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Antonio Valencia are doubts for the game.

Manchester City

Manchester City come into the Manchester derby also with a 100% winning record this season. However one big dark cloud hangs over Manchester City in the build up, with their leading talisman Sergio Aguero suspended for three matches after an apparent elbow in City’s 2-1 win over West Ham before the International break.  

Raheem Sterling has been put the disappointment of an awful Euro 2016 showing, and in the early few weeks of the new season has looked like the player we all know he can be. Sterling could well be the key to a City front line without the explosive power of Aguero, although if I was a betting man (and I am) I would fancy Mourinho’s Man Utd to stand up firm against this City team.

The other big news of the week for Manchester City, is the arrival of Claudio Bravo, who will only have a few days training with his new team-mates before the big game. More encouragingly for City is the news that Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane, who could feature from the bench.

Form (Last Three Games)

Manchester United:
3 wins, 0 draws and 0 losses.
Manchester City:
3 wins, 0 draws and 0 losses.

Stats

• Wayne Rooney has scored 11 goals in Manchester derbies.

• Manchester United are unbeaten in their last three Manchester derbies.

• Manchester United kept clean sheets in both Premier League games last season.

• Out of the last five derbies at Old Trafford, Manchester United have lost three, drawn one and won one.

• Jose Mourinho has only won three of his 16 competitive matches against Pep Guardiola.

Current Match Odds (Best Priced Odds)

Manchester United: 11/8 with Betfred!
Manchester City: 23/10 with bet365!
Draw: 40/17 with Unibet!

Summing Up!

I think home advantage will be enough to get Manchester United over the line and take all three points.  Without Aguero and given Utd have home advantage I can’t see beyond a home win. Mourinho and Ibrahimovic will want revenge over Guardiola and I think they might just get it!

My Recommended Bets

• Man Utd to win (best priced at odds of 11/8 with Betfred). Bet now with Betfred!

• Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Anytime goal scorer (best priced at odds of 8/5 with Betfair Sportsbook). Bet now with Betfair Sportsbook!

• Over 10.5 corners  (best priced at odds of 10/11 with bet365). Bet now with bet365!

New Account Offer

Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply

Click to Claim