A Manchester derby at this time of the season was meant to mean so much more. A title – for at least one of the clubs – should be on the line at this point, but neither Jose Mourinho nor Pep Guardiola have lived up to the lofty expectations cast upon them during their first campaigns in the North-West of England.
Goal scoring issues have hampered Manchester United, while Manchester City’s defence has too frequently crumbled under minute pressure. Tactically both managers have had respective issues, but neither have been able to achieve consistency in performance. The Red Devils boast a lengthy unbeaten run, though a crippling number of home draws have left them outside the top four, despite being just one point behind their city rivals.
A draw, however, feels an unlikely outcome here. Manchester City have drawn just seven league games all season and will be desperate to claim victory to earn a cushion from their rivals. Guardiola does not really ‘do’ settling for a result and, with Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic both unavailable for Mourinho, the blue half of the city are understandably firm favourites at 87/100.
The worry for City will be the pace of Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford. Their defence has been vulnerable to fast-breaking sides throughout the season and will be tasked with dealing with an in-form Rashford, who was rested at the weekend. Wayne Rooney is unlikely to start, with Rashford having been a Europa League hero and tormentor of Chelsea recently. The Mancunian is 27/10 to score in 90 minutes, which really looks a great price.
After being substituted early in the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal, Sergio Aguero is a guaranteed starter at the Etihad on Thursday night. A consistent performer in the biggest games, Aguero’s instincts and bursts of speed make him a tyrant for opposition centre-backs. The Argentine is out at 17/5 to score first, a price that is hard to resist given his prolific record and the atmosphere that will surely spur on a fast start from the Citizens.
Although Mourinho’s United boast the league’s second best defensive record and have won three in a row without conceding, a clean sheet is unlikely against this potent City attack. Kevin de Bruyne, David Silva, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling will all feature against a United defence missing several key names Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score is my pick from the game at 43/20. Combining this with a home victory makes for a longer odds shot of 24/5, too.
