Premier League: Manchester Derby with Massive Implications

Manchester United vs Manchester City

The Manchester derby is always a massive date on the Premier League fixture list. And this upcoming midweek encounter will be no different, as both teams still have plenty to play for this late into the season.

For City, they need to keep pace in the title race with Liverpool, who returned to the top of the Premier League table after beating Cardiff. And for United, they must beat their fierce rivals in order to keep their faint hopes of finishing in the top four alive.

However, United will come into the derby in absolutely horrific form, which continued with their humiliating drubbing at the hands of Everton at the weekend.

Talking Points

United in crisis

Man United’s form has been steadily trending downward for some time now, and they might have finally hit rock bottom against Everton as they were thrashed 4-0 at Goodison Park over the weekend.

United’s performance was so abject that manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer openly questioned whether his players even care for the club, which is obviously concerning.

United have now lost six of their last eight matches in all competitions, including their last five away from home. And their two wins during that span were unconvincing home victories over Watford and West Ham.

Clearly, there aren’t many — if any — positives to take from their recent skid. United’s play has been decidedly average or worse for a couple of months now. And now they have to face their rivals, who are in the midst of a title race and will be desperate for victory.

Perhaps the only hope United fans have heading into this match is that the derby will be at home, where United have lost just once in the league this season. They also held Liverpool to a goalless draw at Old Trafford back in February. Of course, a lot has changed at United since that match.

Moreover, one would figure that the Everton thrashing — along with the added motivation of derailing their big rivals’ title hopes — simply must coax some sort of reaction from what has been a lethargic-looking United side. But if it doesn’t, it could get even worse for the Red Devils in the derby.

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Premier League

City in championship form

There’s not much to say about Manchester City except that they’re still very, very good. While their dramatic Champions League exit to Tottenham likely still stings, they did exact some semblance of revenge by beating Spurs 1-0 in the league over the weekend.

That win extended City’s current Premier League winning streak to 10 straight games, and have also won 14 of their last 15. Amazing stuff from the defending champions.

City did suffer another injury blow as Kevin De Bruyne hurt his hamstring against Spurs and will miss the derby. But of course, City have the depth and the quality to cope with his absence, as they have for much of the season. Fernandinho, who hasn’t started City’s last three matches after suffering his own injury, should be set to return to the starting XI against United.

Fernandinho’s return should help shore up City’s main weakness of surrendering counter-attacks, which was once again on display in their recent trilogy against Spurs. That’s clearly not good news for United, who — in theory — have the personnel to trouble City on the counter.

Premier League: Which team will win in the Manchester derby? — Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola reacts after their 1-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur

History

Manchester United still hold the sizable edge over City in terms of the all-time head-to-head tally. United have won 73 games, City have won 52, and there have been 52 draws.

Recent Manchester derby results have been relatively even, though. Over their last nine Premier League meetings, there have been four City wins, three United wins, and two stalemates.

And interestingly enough, the away team has enjoyed a good deal of success on derby day. Prior to Man City’s 3-1 win at the Etihad back in November, the away team had won four of the last five Manchester derbies.

Moreover, City have gone unbeaten in their last three league visits to Old Trafford (two wins and a draw), and the current Manchester United vs Manchester City betting odds strongly favour them to extend that streak.

Betting Tip

	Manchester United vs Manchester City	Manchester City Asian Handicap -1.25 @ 2.03
	April 25, 03:00 (GMT+8)

Logic dictates that a comfortable City win is the most likely outcome in this match. While they haven’t been overwhelmingly dominant during the latter half of the season, they’ve consistently gotten the job done.

And in contrast, United’s recent Premier League 2019 results don’t inspire any confidence whatsoever. Their defence continues to be a shambles, while the attack has lost the verve it had when Solskjaer first arrived.

With all of that in mind, it’s just hard to imagine United being able to stay within a goal of City. And if you happen to agree with not-so-novel that sentiment, SBOBET Asian handicap sports betting has City -1.25 priced at 2.01.