- Date: Sunday October 29 – 15.30 GMT
- Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Teams: Manchester United vs Manchester City
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Old Trafford hosts the 191st Manchester Derby
As ever, there is local pride at stake in the Manchester derby, however, it is a match which is of huge importance to both sides. After a couple of losses in the Premier League and the EFL Cup City are trying to get back on track and are playing catch up at the top of the table. The hosts have not convinced at all this season, however, they have picked up enough points to be in touch with the European places and boss Erik ten Hag will hope to use the derby to kickstart a push up the table.
The fixture comes eight days after the death of Sir Bobby Charlton, a Manchester United legend who is still to be considered one of the greatest players ever to have laced up a pair of boots.
Manchester United
Man Utd find themselves down in eighth place. While there have been some disappointing results, both domestically and in Europe, they have earned a number of wins without playing well.. Two Scott McTominay goals in injury time eared them an incredible 2-1 comeback win over Brentford before the international break, after looking like they were heading for defeat, and the Scot was again on target as a less than convincing display against Sheffield United saw them leave Bramall Lane with all three points, a Diogo Dalot strike securing the win. Another stuttering performance saw them claim their first Champions League win of the season over Copenhagen in midweek.
United fans can take comfort from the fact that they are still only five points off fourth place and, if they find a bit of form, they could feasibly climb the table. On the other hand, if they do keep churning out substandard performances it is likely that the points may start to dry up.
Casemiro could return after his recent injury. Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw are definately out.
Manchester City
City suffered three domestic defeats immediately prior to the international break, a run which almost constitutes a crisis in the blue half of Manchester, such is the consistency of Pep Guardiola’s side. The slump coincided with a three game ban for influential midfielder Rodri and his domestic return resulted in a 2-1 home win over Brighton, though Manuel Akanji saw red for two bookable offences. Guardiola is arguably even more frustrated than most managers when his players get themselves red-carded. He was seething with Rodri over his dismissal against Nottingham Forest and is unlikely to be too pleased with Akanji.
The Citizens sit in second place in the Premier League, two points behind leaders Tottenham going into the 10th round of fixtures. They tuned up for the derby with a routine Champions League win in midweek.
Long-term injury victim Kevin De Bruyne and the aforementioned Akanji, who is suspended, look like the only two players unavailable to Guardiola.
Prediction
Form can go out of the window in a derby, however, despite being the away side, City are favourites. While a United win wouldn’t be a major shock, given it is a derby and that they are at home, we predict an away win.
The Red Devils may have enough individual talent to scrape wins over Wolves, Forest, Brentford and Sheffield United after below par performances, but you get the feeling that they will have to be on form if they are to get a win over City. Given the nature of derbies, punters may want to go double chance on City.
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