It is the battle of Manchester! Blue welcomes Red, a city divided by pride and colour for all of the right reasons, choruses in a truly titanic clash between two bitter, bitter rivals.
Manchester City vs Manchester United | Sunday 6 March | Etihad Stadium | 18:30
The noisy neighbours have become landowners and the old guard is somewhat slipping, but the rivalry is ever-renewed by history old and new. It’s the Manchester derby – get ready for this!
To Win (90 mins)
Manchester City 13/20 | Draw 29/10 | Manchester United 38/10
Manchester City
Manchester City have not been at their free-flowing best over the last couple games, and yet even in and amidst this supposed ‘crisis’ at the Etihad, they have still been able to create enough chances to remind everyone of the quality Pep Guardiola possesses in this very special team.
It’s almost as though Pep Guardiola has heard the calls (often dressed as banter) chorusing from the Soccer Betting News office urging Guardiola to ‘take domestic competitions seriously’ and field stronger sides. He rested stars on Tuesday against Peterborough, but then again in the words of Diego Simeone, he is playing one of the best teams in the world!
The last time City played at the Etihad, they shipped three goals and lost to a spirited Tottenham side…that game is interesting to me – not so much because of the result as it is about the way in which Antonio Conte seemingly kept his side fighting throughout the game.
Tottenham’s side play and pivotal striking ability seemed to ask questions of City and almost seemed to keep them honest insofar as not allowing City’s defensive players to drop into the midfield freely and add numbers to an area of the pitch in which they want to dominate.
This is something I wouldn’t be surprised to see employed by Ralf Rangnick come Sunday evening. Of course, the only concern is that United’s midfield is relatively static, with Fred the only player happy to bust a gut or two in defending space and ball!
Yes, this is the same Fred (I included) we all shout at the television asking him to ‘get rid of it!’
Manchester United
This could be the game United make a statement and turn it all around…or indeed capitulate and fold once again. Unfortunately, the latter is often more likely and probably accepted already by United fans around the globe. However! This is 2022 and in the words of Ne-Yo ‘we’re too fly to be depressed’.
United still have serious issues, that isn’t a surprise though. They have consistently been inconsistent and disjointed. Their performance at Atletico Madrid was not good enough to be a performance in the last 16 of the Champions League and their inability to put Watford to the sword was simply unacceptable for a team littered with talent from the keeper to the water-boy.
The saving grace I am admittedly clinging onto with this United side, is that under Ralf Rangnick they have a supreme knack of getting a result even when they have been bitterly poor and probably deserved a loss.
Manchester United have a squad which on paper is amongst the very best in world football. I will say that with my chest and promise to not even flinch a little. Yes, football doesn’t care about paper and such sentiments are derailed week in and week out. But, with the amount of quality on offer you just can’t help but wonder ‘what if today?’ – and if Sunday is the day, would you really be that shocked with a United win?
The talk and assumption at United and its success also obviously includes Paul Pogba and Cristiano Ronaldo. The former as been unable to find consistent form since his return from injury – a positive advertisement for United possibly? The latter meanwhile continues to split opinion.
His talent is unmatched and what he has achieved in his illustrious career is and will never be disputed, but his recent form rings in question marks and unfortunately at times the consensus seems to be that he doesn’t do enough when United are under pressure!
Nevertheless, these sorts of games were made for such players – so let’s see how this all unfolds.
Prediction: Manchester United/Draw (17/10)
Now before the calvary call for me to never again cover a United feature – hear me out! Manchester United have not been playing brilliant football – however they do (in my humble opinion) have a squad capable of matching Manchester City in every area of the pitch.
Manchester City have been blowing hot and cold, they too have not been able to register and consistently put together performances worthy of their recent history. I think that if Manchester United are able to stay in the game through the midfield battle and have their big-name players come to party off of the back of a free week – they can take something out of this game.
Therefore, ignore the tip and the 17/10 price that is subsequently available at your own risk!
