The first Manchester Derby of the 2024/25 English Premier League season is set to take place this Sunday, promising to deliver yet another exciting chapter in this storied rivalry between Manchester City and Manchester United.
Both teams are facing periods of inconsistency and struggle heading into this fixture, meaning the stakes are higher than ever as both aim to use this as a launching pad for the rest of the campaign.
Manchester City vs Manchester United
Sunday 15th December, 17:30
Etihad Stadium
Manchester City are in the midst of their worst run since Pep Guardiola took charge, with the Citizens unbelievably winning just one of their last 10 matches across all competitions, suffering seven losses and recording two draws in that time.
They had seemingly recovered when they beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 earlier this month, but a lacklustre performance against Crystal Palace saw them twice have to come from behind to secure a narrow 2-2 draw, before they fell back to defeat with an underwhelming showing in a 2-0 loss to Juventus.
Pep Guardiola will be hoping a matchup with Man United can serve as the extra motivation his side need to get back to their best, with a clear lack of urgency being present throughout the side’s recent performances.
Manchester United have faced similar difficulties throughout the entirety of the season thus far, winning five, drawing four and losing six of their first 15 Premier League games, meaning they head into this one sat 13th in the table with 19 points.
Erik ten Hag was sacked earlier this year because of their dismal start to the campaign, with Ruben Amorim appointed in an attempt to turn their fortunes around, but the Portuguese boss has endured a tough start.
They drew with Ipswich before beating Bodo/Glimt and Everton, but have since suffered losses in their last two Premier League fixtures against Arsenal (2-0) and Nottingham Forest (3-2), meaning they will be desperate to avoid a third consecutive league defeat here.
The Red Devils will be looking back to take inspiration from their FA Cup final victory against Man City at the end of last season, where Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo’s goals secured them the trophy, with that being United’s only victory in the last five meetings between these two sides.
Manchester City Predicted XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Simpson-Pusey, Gvardiol; Gundogan, Silva; Savinho, De Bruyne, Nunes; Haaland
Manchester United Predicted XI: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez; Diallo, Mainoo, Ugarte, Dalot; Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
Bet9ja Tips
Manchester United may surprisingly be the team in superior form heading into this fixture, having won five of their last 10 across all competitions, but Man City are still the favourites given their home advantage, superior talent across the squad and dominance in this fixture in recent years.
The Manchester derby should give the Citizens the extra motivation they need to get over the line with just a second win in their last 11 matches, and you can get odds of that to happen of 1.60 with Bet9ja.
Erling Haaland has also struggled in his recent appearances, scoring just four in his last nine games for Man City, but the striker has an incredible record of six goals in seven matches against Man United. With this, we believe the Norwegian will score again here, and you can get odds of this to happen anytime of 1.85 with Bet9ja.
Bet9ja Odds (at time of writing): Manchester City win: 1.60, Draw: 4.55, Manchester United win: 5.00
2 Comments
by Saminu Yohanna
Manchester United to win or draw
by Henry Odo
I need sure odd