Manchester derbies are always massive affairs, but the first one of the 2015-16 season will be especially huge. Table-topping City have found their groove in the league recently and can stretch their lead over tied-for-second-place United to five points with a win at Old Trafford. And on the other side, United will have a golden opportunity to leapfrog their bitter crosstown rivals, who will be without two of their biggest stars for their trip to the red half of Manchester.
Read on below as we preview this marquee Premier League matchup. And for more of the weekend’s top soccer action, check out our preview of Arsenal vs. Everton.
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Manchester United vs. Manchester City Preview
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
When: Sunday, October 25, 10:00 AM ET
Line: Manchester United +142 vs. Manchester City +163, tie +215; total 2.5 – view all EPL lines
Betting on Manchester United
Manchester United were made to work in midweek against CSKA Moscow. After going behind early in the first half, United battled back to earn a 1-1 draw. Young stud Anthony Martial was once again the hero for United as he ended his four-game goalless drought by scoring his sixth goal in 20 league appearances this season.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Martial and Ander Herrera, who had a goal and an assist in United’s 3-0 away win over Everton last weekend, will be relied upon heavily for some cutting edge up front as Wayne Rooney continues his struggles. The United captain scored a well-taken goal against Everton, but has been in very poor form this season.
The rest of the United team, though, has been functioning very well. Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger have established a terrific partnership in midfield. Meanwhile, the defense – with the exception of its 3-0 loss at Arsenal a few weeks ago – has also been a very solid unit. Goalkeeper David de Gea and defender Chris Smalling have arguably been two of the team’s most consistent performers this season.
That defense has been especially impressive at home. It has conceded just one goal at Old Trafford this season – the best mark in the league – and won’t have to worry about City’s two absent superstars, Sergio Aguero and David Silva.
Aguero scored two goals at Old Trafford last season, but United still ran off 4-2 winners in Louis van Gaals’ first Manchester derby.
Manchester City was pushed to the brink once again in the Champions League, this time by struggling Europa League champions Sevilla. After Sergio Aguero’s 90th minute penalty saved the day against Gladbach, Kevin De Bruyne was the one who delivered the game-winning goal in stoppage time to give City the 2-1 win.
De Bruyne has been an instant hit at City since coming over in a record deal from Wolfsburg. De Bruyne already has six goals and six assists in 17 appearances this season, including three goals and three assists in his last four Premier League games.
It’s a testament to the sheer depth of this City team that it hasn’t missed a beat even with the absence of Aguero and Silva, who will both miss out against United due to injury.
De Bruyne has fit in seamlessly in place of Silva as a focal point of City’s attack. Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling and Wilfried Bony both stepped up with five goals between them in City’s 5-1 beatdown of Bournemouth. City have won their last two league games by an aggregate score of 11-2.
City are nearing two months without keeping a clean sheet, and might not start captain and central defender Vincent Kompany, who has not featured in the first XI since returning from international duty. However, City have not had much trouble scoring goals at Old Trafford. City have scored 13 goals in their last four visits to Old Trafford, and have won three of those games.
Writer’s Prediction
United (+142) edges out City with a hard-fought 2-1 win.
