Man United vs Man City Odds, Preview
Premier League Match of the Week
First Manchester Derby of 2023-24
Manchester United and Manchester City last met in June’s FA Cup final and City came away with a 2-1 win. Now, in the first Manchester Derby of the 2023-24 season, United host City on Sunday. While United were historically the dominant team in this fixture, City have emerged as a force to be reckoned with over the last decade. The former “noisy neighbors” are three-time defending Premier League champions and will be looking for a win on Sunday. Ahead of the match, we’ll take a look at the Man United vs Man City odds.
Manchester United vs Manchester City
Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
Date & Time: Sunday, October 29th, 11:30 p.m. ET
Head-to-Head:
In two meetings on the EPL schedule last season, the home team won both. At Old Trafford, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford scored in United’s 2-1 comeback win. In the reverse fixture, City won 6-3. Both EPL teams have scored in the last four head-to-head matchups and City have won five of the last seven, in all competitions.
Unsung Heroes Lift Manchester United
A pair of unsung and oft-criticized heroes handed Manchester United a midweek Champions League victory over FC Copenhagen. First, former captain Harry Maguire scored on a header from a Christian Eriksen cross. Then, Andre Onana, whose every mistake has been scrutinized this Premier League season, saved a penalty to preserve United’s clean sheet. Maguire also put in a man of the match performance in Man United’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United last Saturday.
With the win, United climbed to eighth place in the Premier League standings. It was rumored over the Summer that both Maguire and Scott McTominay would join West Ham but they’ve both been standout performers over the last few weeks. McTominay, a midfielder, has scored three goals in United’s last two Premier League games.
Even though they’re on a three-game winning streak, in all competitions, Man U’s performances have been subpar. Concerningly, McTominay is their leading EPL scorer as Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund have one combined goal.
The hosts are underdogs for Sunday’s match as the Man United vs Man City odds price United as +370 underdogs. Casemiro missed the match at Sheffield United due to injury and was suspended for the Copenhagen match but should be available come Sunday. Meanwhile, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Tyrell Malacia are all out injured.
Rodri Improves City’s Results
Manchester City remained perfect in the UEFA Champions League with a 3-1 win in Bern over Young Boys on Wednesday. Manuel Akanji opened up the scoring on a rebound and Norwegian sensation Erling Haaland added two of his own. City also snapped a two-game losing streak in the EPL last Saturday when they defeated Brighton 2-1. However, Akanji got sent off in the match and will miss the Manchester Derby.
Although Haaland hasn’t been at his best so far this season, he still leads the EPL stats with an impressive nine goals. Julian Alvarez also deserves a special mention for providing four goals and three assists in the Premier League. Man City lost all three matches they played with Rodri suspended but it’s no surprise that getting the midfielder back has improved their results.
Fellow midfielder Kevin de Bruyne remains sidelined with a hamstring injury but Pep Guardiola has the rest of his squad to call on, on Sunday. Man City have conceded just seven goals in nine EPL matches this season, which is the fewest in the league. The Cityzens are just two points behind leaders Tottenham at present and can potentially leapfrog Spurs this weekend.
Man United vs Man City Match Analysis & Odds
It’s certainly concerning that Manchester United have only scored 11 times in nine Premier League matches this season. There is a sense that this Manchester City team is much better than United on paper and should be picking up all three points come Sunday. Haaland and Alvarez alone have combined for 13 Premier League goals.
The Man United vs Man City odds price City as -145 favorites as they go for their fifth win in their last six games vs. United. Bettors can also take Man United at +370 odds and a draw at +310. This match will be a real test of United’s progress under Ten Hag.
Manchester United +0.5, +1 displays -105 odds as Manchester City -0.5, -1 sits at -115. Haaland and Phil Foden both had hat tricks in the 6-3 rout of United at the Etihad last season but United held tight at Old Trafford in 2022-23. Their three meetings last season averaged five goals per game and over 2.5, 3 goals come in at -115 odds here.
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