Manchester City vs. Manchester United: Could Red Devils pile misery onto the defending champions?

Where? Etihad Stadium

When? Sunday 2^nd November

What time? 1.30pm live on Sky Sports

It’s a bad time for Manchester City to be facing a resurgent Manchester United side, and even manager Manuel Pellegrini admitted his defending champions are “worried” ahead of United coming to the Etihad. He’s right to be.

After losing to Newcastle in the Capital One Cup, City are winless in their last three games in all competitions (2-2 vs CSKA Moscow, 2-1 vs West Ham United and 2-0 vs Newcastle United). The Sky Blues have only won three of their seven home games in all competitions this season, and have only kept one clean sheet in the league since August.

The growing number of players on the treatment table will be the biggest worry for Pellegrini, as David Silva and Yaya Toure are both doubtful ahead of the Manchester derby on Sunday.

Manchester United, on the other hand, are full of confidence. They earned a deserved point at home to Premier League leaders Chelsea, while having amassed 13 points from their last seven games, losing only once.

They welcome back captain Wayne Rooney (6 PL games, 3 goals) at the perfect time, with Radamel Falcao injured and Juan Mata out of form. Surprisingly, the Red Devils have a good record against City at the Etihad too. In their last 10 Premier League meetings away to the Sky Blues, Manchester United have won five and drawn one.

Match betting

Manchester City have been woeful defensively at the Etihad this season, with Manuel Pellegrini’s men keeping only one clean sheet in seven games in all competitions. Typically, they have been scoring, with 19 goals from nine games. Manchester United have scored in all but one of their league outingss so far, but only three sides have conceded more goals away from home than them. Betfair are giving odds of 4/7 for both teams to score.

United have taken the lead first in four of their last six Premier League games this season, and summer-signing Angel Di Maria has scored the opening goal in two of the matches. The Argentine winger has scored or assisted three of United’s last five goals. BetVictor are giving odds of 10/1 for Angel Di Maria to be the first goalscorer.

Although the Red Devils are still winless on their travels in the league, Louis Van Gaal wouldn’t hesitate to take a share of the spoils. United have drawn three of their four away games, and face a fragile Man City side, who would do anything to avoid defeat again. SkyBet are giving odds of 14/5 for Manchester City and Manchester United to draw on Sunday.