Man Utd v Man City – Preview, Predictions, and Best Bets

Man Utd host Man City at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday. Pep Guardiola’s side have won the last three EFL cups in a row while United are chasing a first triumph in this competition since 2017 under Jose Mourinho.

Man Utd Form

Man Utd are in outstanding form and sit tied-top of the table having played a match less than Liverpool. Seven wins and two draws in their last nine league matches has seen expectations lifted and faith in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer restored.

United have been showing resilience to win matches when trailing, the ability to thrash teams as they did 6-2 to Leeds, and to score late goals in games where they play poorly, such as scoring in injury time to beat Wolves.

In their last match, they took the lead at home against Aston Villa through Anthony Martial before the visitors leveled in the second half. Bruno Fernandes then stepped forward to convert a generously awarded penalty after a small foul on Paul Pogba. United have scored the second-most goals in the league but have only the 13th best defensive record.

Man Utd Team News

Man Utd is without Edinson Cavani due to suspension for this match and Victor Lindelof is a doubt with a back problem.

Solskjaer played a very strong team in the last round and will certainly do so again against their rivals. With an FA Cup match this weekend to give starts to Donny van de Beek, Alex Telles, Axel Tuanzebe, Mason Greenwood, and Dean Henderson, it could be a full strength and unchanged lineup for this match.

Man Utd Motivation

Very high. Solskjaer wants to win a trophy and this match is one away from a cup final and against their city rivals. United are likely to set up with a very solid and abrasive midfield and use the speed of Martial and Rashford on the break.

United won’t fear going to extra time so won’t chase a winner in a reckless fashion if the scores are level in the second half. They know they can rotate over the weekend so all focus is on this match.

Man City Form

Guardiola has his side playing some very good stuff again. Sunday’s 3-1 win against Chelsea could have been more like 6-1 if they had taken their chances. Their victory means they are 11 matches unbeaten in all competitions with just two defeats in 24 matches this term.

Some draws in recent league matches (five in their last 14) had been a problem but they look over that with five wins in their last seven. They have kept eight clean sheets in their last 11 matches in all competitions and have the best defensive record in the Premier League.

Man City Team News

City have several COVID-19 cases to deal with for this match. Kyle Walker, Ferran Torres, Gabriel Jesus, Ederson, and Eric Garcia all miss out with the illness. Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte are doubtful with small injuries too. Guardiola is likely to pick a very strong team for this match. Sergio Aguero may get more minutes but big games tend to see a false nine selected so the Argentine is likely to be on the bench.

Zack Steffen will continue in goal whilst Riyad Mahrez, Fernandinho and Benjamin Mendy will hope to start. With the players unavailable, there is not much more room to make more changes than that.

Man City Motivation

Very high. This is a derby and City take this competition very seriously. They host Birmingham over the weekend so can make mass changes for that match whereas a very strong lineup will be picked in this one. Expect Guardiola to play a false nine and look to dominate midfield and possession in this match. Extra time would not be ideal for City having had one less rest day than United so they may take risks to grab a late winner.

Key Stats

Man Utd have kept 3 clean sheets in a row against Man City

Man Utd have scored 2 or more goals in 8 of their last 11 matches

Man Utd have conceded 16 goals in their last 10 matches

City have kept 8 clean sheets in their last 11 matches in all competitions

Man City are unbeaten in 11 matches (W8, D3)

Prediction

This will a tight match that could go either way. Both sides are in excellent form and will treat this match very seriously. The best bet is a draw in 90 minutes and extra time being required to separate the sides.