It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, as the red half of the city takes on the blue half in another Manchester derby.
Here is my Manchester United vs. Manchester City prediction and Premier League odds for today's match.
Manchester United vs. Manchester City Prediction, Pick, Premier League Odds
| Man City Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-0.5 +100 | 2.5 -155o / +116u | +110 |
| Man U Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+0.5 -145 | 2.5 -150o /+116u | +240 |
- Manchester United vs. Manchester City moneyline odds: M. United +240; Draw +260; M. City -111
- Manchester United vs. Manchester City over/under: 2.5 (-150o /+116u)
- Manchester United vs. Manchester City pick: M. City to Win
Manchester United Prediction
A 3-0 thumping of Leicester City after a respectable 1-1 tie with Arsenal and a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad over the weekend made it look like Manchester United were finally back on the trot, but it all came crashing down on Tuesday as they lost 1-0 to the surprise team of the season, Nottingham Forest.
Ruben Amorim's side is on track to finish the season with a paltry 47 league goals, which would be their worst-ever scoring performance in Premier League history. This would be seven fewer goals than during their problematic 2015/16 campaign.
As things stand, the Red Devils are yet to keep a clean sheet at home in the Premier League, with their 4-0 win over Everton the last time in nine games they could do so. Home turf hasn't been particularly helpful for them on derbies recently, with Manchester United winning just two of their last city derbies at Old Trafford.
Still, with not much left to play for in the Premier League and a much-wanted Champions League spot still on the cards via the Europa League—quarter-finals against French side Lyon kick off next Thursday—it's fair to wonder whether Amorim wouldn't be better served focusing on that.
It's not like he's got a full-strength squad. Lisandro Martinez (knee), Amad Diallo (ankle), Ayden Heaven (ankle), Luke Shaw (calf) and Jonny Evans (back) are all out. Matthijs de Ligt and Kobbie Mainoo, both with unspecified injuries, are in doubt, but Mason Mount should see more minutes after coming off the bench against Forest.
Manchester City Prediction
The week has been highly emotional for Manchester City fans and staff alike, as midfield maestro Kevin de Bruyne announced he'd be leaving the team at the end of the season.
The Sky Blues flirted with fourth place after beating relegation-bound Leicester City last week, but Chelsea's win over Tottenham has them again in fifth place.
Still, it's probably the best Pep Guardiola's team has looked all season, reliably delivering results even when there's little to play for.
Striker Omar Marmoush has done a great job leading the attack in the absence of Erling Haaland. He's scored an average of 0.74 goals per 90 minutes played over the last 12 months, enough for the 87th percentile across all forwards across Europe’s top five leagues, per FBref.
Still, City is a side that has rarely been the same away from home. Out of their last 11 Premier League games away from home, they won just three and lost six.
There's not much team news for Guardiola. Haaland (ankle), Rodri (ACL), Nathan Ake (foot), John Stones (thigh), and Manuel Akanji (groin) are all out. Abdukodir Khusanov is doubtful but reportedly could make a return.
Manchester United vs. Manchester City Pick
The Manchester derby has seldom been a competitive affair since Pep Guardiola took over at the sky blue half of town. Despite much investment, none of the managers that came through the gates at Old Trafford have quite found the key to challenge City persistently, and Amorim looks to be on the same path.
Derby games are often played outside the teams' run of form, but I'm not sure this will be the case. Bragging rights are always important, but it'd be ill-advised for the Red Devils to go all out on a game that can win them very little and risk a potential entrance to Europe's elite.
City certainly will have a lot more to play for. But on a ground where they've won before and against a rival that should have their minds elsewhere, I don't see how they'll fail to pick up this win.
Manchester United vs. Manchester City Pick: M. City to Win
