in this article
Some games don’t need any build up. You just need to see the team names. Manchester United vs Manchester City. Job done. There’s no debate about who the favourites are. While back-to-back defeats in the league put a dampener on things, City are still a near-unstoppable force and a confident victory against Brighton and Hove Albion showed their back onsong.
Man United could only dream of such a start. Their form in big games has been abysmal since Erik ten Hag took the reins and they’ve already lost against big players such as Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Brighton and Hove Albion, Bayern Munich and Galatasaray. And, erm, Crystal Palace.
They say form goes out the window for derby games, but we don’t see it entirely that way. Feast your eyes on the Man United vs Man City stats and bet builder tips below, they’ll help you pick a winning bet builder to enhance your enjoyment of the late game on Sunday – the Manchester derby.
Our Stats Pack Guide can help you find value in the data and aid you in your bet builder selections.
Want to have a go at a massive £50 in free bet builders? Betfair have you sorted with their latest signup offer:
MAN United VS MAN CITY PREDICTED LINEUPS
Ex-Real pair to return
Man United have suffered recently with injuries and suspension so having Casemiro and Raphael Varane available again is a huge bonus ahead of one of their biggest games of the season. They will also be able to field an actual left back with Sergio Reguilon starting in midweek. The other question will be whether Scott McTominay or Sofyan Amrabat keep their spot in the centre of the pitch.
City close to full fitness
Pep Guardiola will enter the game missing only two key players – Kevin De Bruyne, injured until December, and Manuel Akanji, sent off last time out against Brighton. It means that Guardiola can rely upon close to his strongest XI with Ruben Dias and either Nathan Ake or John Stones expected to partner in defence. City’s XI and subs in midweek may give us clues as to what to expect – Jeremy Doku was replaced early while Kyle Walker, Josko Gvardiol and Phil Foden remained on the bench.
MAN United VS MAN CITY TEAM STATS
United struggling to create big chances
In their last six games, Man United have created between 0.9 and 1.4 xG, a run that would see them in the bottom half of the table for chances created this season. This is despite managing 14 or more shots in seven of their nine games, something that will be more difficult to reach against an opposition like Man City. Cards have been a consistent theme of their game, receiving and drawing two or more yellow cards in seven of their nine games, may be something to look for in your Man United vs Man City bet builder.
City as strong as ever defensively
Man City are the best defensive team in the Premier League. They have conceded just 6.3 xG across nine Premier League games, the best by at least 1.5, and they’ve conceded three or fewer shots on target in eight of their matches. They are still proving an excellent outfit in possession, unsurprisingly, to the point that they have drawn 11 fouls in six of their nine outings and two or more yellow cards in each of their last eight.
MAN United VS MAN CITY SHOTS AND SHOTS ON TARGET stats
United shots worth backing?
Man City don’t give away much and the odds showcase this. Backing the case for players to have two or more shots could be a genuine option. Marcus Rashford has had two or more shots in every league start, Antony in five of six league starts, Bruno Fernandes in seven of his last eight and Rasmus Hojlund in each of his last seven starts in all competitions. They are all available between 1.29 and 1.57 to do the same on Sunday.
Doku may be worth backing
Guardiola often values experience and temperament in big games but it looks as if Jeremy Doku may get the nod this weekend. He has managed three or more shots in three of his last four league starts and a shot on target in three – you can back him to match this feat at 2.63 and 1.73. Julian Alvarez has had a shot on target in seven of his nine Premier League games – you can back him at 1.36.
MAN united VS MAN CITY GOALS AND ASSISTS stats
Time for United attack to step up
If United are to score this weekend, the likelihood is that it will come from a Bruno Fernandes set piece and he’s 3.5 to register a goal contribution on Sunday. However, Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund are underperforming in the league and if there was ever a time to step up, it’s at Old Trafford this weekend. Both have had plenty of efforts at goal and are a minimum of 4.0 to score anytime. If your gut feeling is a United victory, they could be a big boost to your Man United bet builder.
Alvarez catching up to Haaland
It’s unlikely you will read one of the pieces that doesn’t acknowledge Erling Haaland scoring when Man City are involved. The Norwegian is phenomenal and he’s doing it again this year with 13 goal contributions in all competitions already, including nine in nine in the league. Julian Alvarez is doing his best to keep up, however, the World Cup winner now has 11 goal contributions across all competitions and seven in the league. Both have contributed in six of nine Premier League outings.
MAN United CARDS AND FOULS stats
Maguire not quite perfect
The comeback of Harry Maguire is one a lot of people are looking forward to seeing. He played a big role in the comeback against Brentford and scored the winner in midweek. His most consistent trait, however, has been fouling opponents, doing so in all six starts for club and country. The man to the right, Diogo Dalot, isn’t shy of committing a foul. He has fouled an opponent in six of seven Premier League starts and nine in 11 in all competitions.
Dalot will have his hands full – whoever he plays against. Doku is most likely to start from the left and he has been fouled two or more times in all six Premier League appearances, making Dalot an interesting option for your bet builder. If Doku’s not there, Foden is likely to be – he’s been fouled in eight of nine matches this season. And there is always the possibility that Jack Grealish enters the pitch, probably the most fouled footballer in Premier League history.
MAN CITY CARDS AND FOULS stats
The return of Rodri
Man City don’t commit many fouls. They don’t need to. That is with the exception of their defensive midfielder, who must learn the art of fouling as much as possible to stop counter-attacks. Rodri has picked up four cards this season but is committing fouls, committing one in six of seven appearances and two or more in four. Kyle Walker is helping out, fouling in four of his last five outings.
Bruno Fernandes is the man to watch as far as Rodri is concerned, the Portuguese international is responsible for much of United’s good work in possession and he’s been fouled in six of the last eight outings, the same as Marcus Rashford, who will be up against Kyle Walker in a clash of the titans. Josko Gvardiol has an interesting opponent, the diminutive Antony has been fouled in all six appearances for United this term and twice or more in four of his five starts.
