A Manchester derby with extremely high stakes takes the spotlight on Saturday as Manchester United play host to their cross-town rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford.
Both sides are fighting for a Champions League place, with fourth-place United now one of the most in-form teams in England and hoping to fend off Tottenham below them while catching Newcastle United above. City have their sights set even higher, looking to take aim at first-place Arsenal.
Neither side can afford a slip in this match, as a win would keep the machine chugging along, while any dropped points would cause complications while chasing their league targets.
Manchester City have been the more dominant side in this fixture over the past few years, but they have slipped some in recent weeks, giving the visitors some doubts as they head to their rivals' famous venue. United, meanwhile, are on a run of eight wins straight across all competitions and have played exceptional football on both sides of the pitch, conceding just four goals in those eight games, including just two over their last seven.
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Man United vs Man City odds
Despite the respective form of each side, Manchester City are considered the somewhat overwhelming favorites in this match, sporting minus odds and leaving Man United with even money just on the double chance.
However, regardless of the outcome, goals are expected, as United are in exceptional goalscoring form and City are loaded with attacking talent. The over is a favorite for that reason, plus the defensive unit of City is somewhat beset by injuries.
Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and Neds (Australia).
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction | SkyBet | Neds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Man United win | +320 | +279 | 16/5 | 4.20 |
| Draw | +290 | +278 | 11/4 | 3.70 |
| Man City win | -130 | -123 | 4/5 | 1.80 |
| Both teams to score Y / N | -160 / +115 | -172 / +110 | 4/7, 5/4 | 1.60 / 2.25 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | -160 / +115 | -154 / +115 | 4/6, 11/10 | 1.68 / 2.15 |
| Man City -0.5 | -140 | -125 | — | — |
| Man United +0.5 | +100 | -102 | — | — |
Man United vs Man City: 3 things to know
Man United vs Man City match facts
- Date: Saturday, January 14
- Kickoff Time: 7:30 am ET / 12:30 pm GMT / 11:30 pm AEDT
- Location: Old Trafford (Manchester, England)
- Official: Stuart Atwell
Man United vs Man City team news
The Red Devils saw Portuguese full-back Diogo Dalot withdrawn early against Charlton Athletic in FA Cup play last time out, and Erik ten Hag said he will not be available for this game. Jadon Sancho and Donny van de Beek are still out, but Anthony Martial passed a late fitness test and starts the match. New loan signing Wout Weghorst is not available just yet.
Central defence is the area of concern for Man City, with both Ruben Dias and John Stones out of action. Pep Guardiola recalled Phil Foden to the starting lineup for the derby, alongside Riyad Mahrez and Erling Haaland in attack.
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Man United vs Man City key stats
- The home side has won the last two meetings between these rivals after going four straight without victory.
- Man City have won three straight in this fixture, scoring an astonishing 12 goals in those three matches, while conceding four.
- Phil Foden has just one Premier League goal and no assists since scoring October 8 against Southampton. He has registered just 0.32 xG (expected goals) and 0.30 xA (expected assists) since, including six matches without a single shot and five without a key pass.
Man United vs Man City prediction
- Moneyline lean: Draw (+290)
- Against the spread lean: Man United +0.5 (+100)
- Score prediction: Man United 1-1 Man City
For all of Manchester City's attacking talent, it's been Manchester United who have been the better side in front of goal since the World Cup break concluded. The Red Devils have been especially good at being patient, something which their sky blue rivals could learn a thing or two about.
Pep Guardiola has made some questionable tactical decisions in big games of late, recalling the old adage of the Spanish manager overthinking in key moments. Man City have enjoyed a pair of big results in this derby, but that euphoria can't last forever, and Man United should pick up a result in this match.
Man United vs Man City: best bet
- Pick: Man United double chance
- Odds: +100 (BetMGM)
Manchester City are one of the best teams in the world, of that there is no doubt. Yet the defending Premier League champs have shown a weakness this season to drop points when they don't have their A+ game. On their day, they can roast an opponent, but when they aren't in top form — something every team struggles through at times during a long season — they aren't able to grind out results.
The team on the other side, however, can. Manchester United have been exceptionally stout defensively in recent months, holding eight of their last nine opponents to 1.0 xG or fewer. Even when they struggle to find goals in bunches, they can still grind out results, such as the 1-0 win over Wolves in which they won the xG battle 2.45-0.59 but struggled in front of net, or the Fulham victory where they won it in the 92nd minute through Alejandro Garnacho.
Man United vs Man City prop bet
- Pick: Marcus Rashford anytime goalscorer
- Odds: +230 (BetMGM)
How hot is Marcus Rashford? The England international has not only scored four goals in his last six Premier League matches, but he's getting exceptional goalscoring chances on a regular basis. In his last 15 Premier League appearances dating back to the win over Liverpool in mid-August, Rashford has collected a whopping 6.76 xG (expected goals) on 35 shots, good for an exceptional .193 xG per shot.
There's no reason not to ride the hot hand. Even late in the match, don't lose confidence, as Rashford's last four goals in all competitions have come in the 76th minute, 86th minute, 90th minute, and 94th minute.
Man United vs Man City live stream, TV channel
MORE: Watch Premier League matches live with fuboTV in USA
MORE: Watch Man United vs Man City match live with fuboTV in Canada
The match will be streamed or televised by the following outlets around the world:
| TV channel | Streaming | |
|---|---|---|
| USA | USA Network, Telemundo | fuboTV |
| Canada | — | fuboTV Canada |
| UK | BT Sport 1, BT Sport Ultimate | BT Sport website/app |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport Premier League | Sky Go NZ, Sky Sport NOW |
| India | Star Sports Select 1, Star Sports Select HD1 | Jio TV, Hotstar VIP |
| Hong Kong | Now Premier League (Ch. 620-621) | now TV |
| Malaysia | Astro Super Sport 3 | Astro GO, Sooka |
| Singapore | Hub Premier (Ch. 221-222) | StarHub TV+ |
UK: BT Sport will carry the match on its TV and streaming platform.
USA: This match will be televised on USA Network (English) and Telemundo (Spanish) with both streams available on fuboTV.
Canada: Every Premier League game this season is live streaming exclusively via fuboTV in Canada.
Australia: Fans in Australia can stream every match live and on demand on Optus Sport.
India: Star Sports network has the rights to show Premier League matches in India. As well as an English broadcast on Star Sports Select, select matches will be available via regional feeds on Star Sports 3 (in Bengali, English, Kannada, Malayalam), Star Sports 1 (Bangla) and Star Sports 1 (Tamil).
