Man City vs Man Utd: Preview and Betting Tips | EPL 2024

Match: Man City vs Man Utd
When: Sunday, 15 December 2024, 18:30 SAST
Where: Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Man City Form

City’s form is very poor with seven losses in 10 fixtures. A 14-match unbeaten run to start the season is now a distant memory. A 4-1 loss away to Sporting Lisbon was followed by a late 2-1 loss at Brighton. City were destroyed 4-0 at home by Tottenham after that.

It looked like they would shrug that loss off as they led 3-0 versus Feyenoord but they collapsed to draw 3-3 at home in the Champions League. A meek 2-0 loss at Liverpool preceded a much-needed 3-0 home win over Nottingham Forest. It proved a false dawn as they drew 2-2 at Crystal Palace last weekend and lost 2-0 away to Juventus in midweek.

Man City Team News

City are without key man Rodri in midfield but Mateo Kovacic is available again. Rico Lewis is suspended and winger Oscar Bobb is out injured.

Manuel Akanji, John Stones and Nathan Ake are ruled out with injuries in defence but Phil Foden is available after an illness.

Man City Motivation

City are low on confidence and would probably be satisfied to avoid another loss and take a draw here. The title feels like a distant dream unless they quickly return to their best level.

Guardiola often takes the same route in the big games and drops his dribblers like Doku and Savinho. The team selection will provide a big indication of their approach.

Man Utd Form

After the brief improvement under caretaker coach Ruud Van Nistelrooy, United saw Ruben Amorim take over. His first match saw a 1-1 draw at Ipswich before a 3-2 comeback win at home versus Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League.

A 4-0 win over Everton was a good result but not a true reflection of a closer match. They lost at Arsenal and were beaten 3-2 at home by Nottingham Forest last weekend. In midweek, a strong comeback brought a 2-1 win at Viktoria Plzen for a first away European win since March 2023.

Man Utd Team News

Man Utd have just two injuries in Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans. Amorim rotates his side heavily to predicting the XI is nearly impossible. Rasmus Hojlund’s brace on Thursday could see him start up front in preference to Marcus Rashford.

Leny Yoro and Kobbie Mainoo could be left on the bench. Amad Diallo is expected to revert to a wingback role with Alejandro Garnacho back in the XI.

Man Utd Motivation

The Red Devils are struggling in the league and need something from this match. The new coach’s ideas are taking a while to be implemented.

United could see City as there-for-the-taking and throw numbers forward. This is a chance to win at the Etihad

Key Stats

City have lost 7 of their last 10 matches

Man City have conceded 23 goals in their last 10 matches

Manchester United have lost 5 of their last 6 league matches vs Man City

Man Utd have won just 7 of their last 18 matches

Verdict

This is one of the least predictable derbies of the last decade. City could bounce back or lose yet again whilst we don’t know which XI the visitors will select. A high-scoring draw is quite possible.

Best Bet: Man Utd win/draw double chance at 2.40
Value Bet: Draw at 4.45
Alternate Bet: Both Teams to Score + Over 2.5 goals at 1.80