Manchester United v Manchester City Betting Preview, 2015-10-25

A classic on the cards at Old Trafford

Premier League Tips

Manchester United v Manchester City
Sunday 25th October – Kickoff: 1405hrs
Football – England – Premier League

The first Manchester derby of the season is arguably the biggest and most important fixture of the 2014/15 Premier League thus far considering the respective positions of both clubs. A win for either United or City would mean they go top of the table, adding even more significance to a game that already means so much to both sets of supporters.

This was a fixture that the red half of Manchester dominated for so long as City toiled through much of the 90’s and early 00’s, but it’s a much more even affair nowadays. For Louis Van Gaal it will be his third time taking charge of United in the derby with his record standing at 1-1, but this particular game has a different edge to it with only a couple of points separating the two coming into this game. United will also be hoping to build on their impressive 3-0 win away to Everton last week, which was the perfect response to the defeat they suffered at the hands of Arsenal – going down by the same score line.

City have come a long way in less than a decade, so much so that rather than coming to Old Trafford and being content to avoid a thrashing, they now make the same trip and are disappointed if they don’t take all three points. That will certainly be the case on Sunday as a win would take them back to the top of the table, clear of Arsenal. A loss, however, would mean that their opponents(and bitter rivals) leapfrogging them to go level on points with the table-topping Gunners. If the visitors are to assume pole position again, they will have to be far better than their last away game in the league when going down 4-1 to Tottenham. It was a game which brought to the fore a defensive vulnerability which many thought had been rectified before that game.

Several Manchester United players could make their derby debut at Old Trafford on Sunday. Memphis Depay, Anthony Martial and Bastian Schweinsteiger are all likely to be included in Van Gaal’s starting eleven and will be crucial to helping their side record consecutive wins against City for the first time 2009. It is the former Bayern Munich man who could have the most pivotal role to play, however, as he will be up against Yaya Toure. If Schweinsteiger can come out on top in that individual battle it will go a long way to ensuring a home victory as Toure has been very influential in these games during his time at City, and will be even more important with Sergio Aguero and David Silva still missing.

Manuel Pellegrini will be well aware of the challenge that awaits his side having lost heavily on their last visit to the ground. Despite taking an early lead, City were beaten 4-2 in this fixture back in April. As noted above, Aguero – who scored both goals that day – will be a massive blow and means Wilfried Bony will lead the line in his absence. The Ivorian has yet to find his form since moving to the club in January but this will be his third straight start. He got off the mark for the season in the win over Bournemouth last weekend. Unfortunately for City supporters, Aguero’s movement and pace has posed a huge amount of problems for the United defence in past meetings and his influenced will be sorely missed.

Manchester United v Manchester City Betting Tips

As with all big games, there is always a chance that the match itself does not live up to expectation, but it’s difficult to see how this one is not going to be the enthralling and exciting 90 minutes it promises to be. Both sides have been in good form this term, and despite a a poor performance or two each, United and City look likely to be challenging for the title throughout the season.

United’s home record under Van Gaal is very strong with 17 wins and just three defeats in the 23 league games at Old Trafford since taking over last summer. 15 of those games have contained three or more goals and 12 have seen both teams scoring. City’s away form has certainly improved at the beginning of the season, winning three of the first four, but this game will be another test of their credentials. Pellegrini’s men failed to beat any of the other three clubs who finished in the top four last season, away from home.

United are slight favourites for this one and if I had to select a winner then I would edge it in their favour. However, rather than concentrate on the outcome of the game, I think the goal markets are the best place to focus. The last 10 meetings has seen an incredible 41 goals scored. Even without Aguero and Silva, I fully expect this game to follow suit. City are the league’s top scorers with 24 and the expected pace of this game will mean defences are under pressure from the off. Neither back line has been convincing, either, and have shown they struggle to deal with pace in the oppositions attack. There will be an abundance of that on show in both final thirds.

Over 2.5 goals would have landed in eight of the last 10 meetings so it looks a solid wager today. For a more adventurous bet, five of the last 10 derbies have contained two or more goals in the first half and with the likely frantic opening pace, there should be chances created from the off.

Over 2.5 goals 10/11 @ William Hill
Over 1.5 first half goals 9/5 @ Boylesports