The 187th edition of the famous Manchester derby pits Premier League table-toppers Manchester City against top-four bidders Manchester United.
Sunday’s fixture at the Etihad Stadium could be pivotal for both sides, especially the Cityzens, who have seen their advantage at the top shrink of late.
Man City vs Man United, along with other Premier League matches this weekend, are available to watch via live football streams.
Match Preview
Manchester City
Man City bounced back from a 3-2 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur with a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Everton last time out.
However, the Cityzens’ underwhelming recent performances have seen second-placed Liverpool whittle down the gap to six points, with the Reds also having a game in hand.
After cruising to a 2-0 victory at Old Trafford back in November, Pep Guardiola’s men could complete their first Premier League double over Man Untied since 2018/19.
But they also face the prospect of losing back-to-back home league games for only the second time under Guardiola, last doing so in April/May last season.
Manchester United
The Red Devils head into this round occupying the final Champions League spot despite being held to a frustrating goalless home draw to relegation-battling Watford last time out.
Ralf Rangnick’s men are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League matches on the trot (W4, D4), the longest ongoing such streak in the competition.
However, three of Man United’s last five away league fixtures have ended level (W2), one more draw than in their opening eight Premier League travels this season (W4, D2, L2).
Despite Man City’s dominance of English football under Guardiola’s stewardship, United have won their last three competitive duels at the Etihad.
Team News
Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias are both ruled out with injuries, with Aymeric Laporte expected to take the Portuguese centre-back’s place in Man City’s backline.
Mason Greenwood remains the only absentee in the Man United camp, while Jadon Sancho stakes his claim for a place in the starting line-up following the Red Devils’ awful attacking performance against Watford.
Manchester City Potential Starting XI:
(4-3-3): Ederson; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Aymeric Laporte, Joao Cancelo; Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne; Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, Jack Sterling.
Manchester United Potential Starting XI:
(4-2-3-1): David de Gea; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Raphael Varane, Alex Telles; Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay; Anthony Elanga, Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho; Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manchester City vs Manchester United Prediction
Since this could be a season-defining fixture for both sides, we expect each manager to keep things tight at the back and try to stun the opposition in transition.
But given Man City’s recent dip in form, we would not put it past Man United to silence the Etihad once again.
Manchester City 1-2 Manchester United.
