Manchester City vs Manchester United: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

With both teams struggling to find consistency, we struggle to pick a winner in this game, although Manchester City may be a slight favourite.

Pep Guardiola’s side are going through their most challenging season since his arrival in England in 2016; however, teething problems in the new setup by Ruben Amorim could benefit the out-of-sorts Premier League Champions.

Manchester United have lost their previous two league games coming into this fixture, conceding five goals in two games against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest. Ruben Amorim's side have drawn three of their last five in the Premier League away from home, with goalless draws against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa. Both teams scored in seven of the previous eight meetings in this fixture.

The hosts have only lost once at home in the Premier League this season, while the visitors have failed to win at the Etihad in their last three visits. The home advantage for the current champions will likely give Manchester City a much-needed win.

Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United.

Ruben Amorim takes charge of his first Manchester derby on Sunday as he takes his Manchester United across town to face Manchester City.

Date: 15/12/2024
Location: Etihad Stadium, Manchester.
Kick-Off: 4.30 pm

The game on Sunday could be a catalyst for either manager in entirely different aspects of their respective jobs this season. For Pep Guardiola, his Manchester City side desperately needs a morale-boosting win to ensure his side rectifies their worst-ever run of results since Stuart Pearce’s tenure in the 2005/06 season.

A statement win for Ruben Amorim early in his Manchester United tenure would be ideal. The former Sporting Lisbon manager continues to analyse his current squad and whether they align with his philosophy.

The current Premier League champions are fourth in the league as things stand, following a disastrous run of results by their standards, which leaves them perilous to lose their league title to Liverpool. The Citizens are nine points adrift, having played a game more and will be looking over their shoulder with the likes of Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa two points behind in the race for UEFA Champions League qualification.

Manchester United have had a terrible season in the Premier League this campaign, as the Red Devils are 13th after 15 games. Their subsequent form had resulted in the dismissal of Erik ten Hag and the appointment of Ruben Amorim from Sporting Lisbon. For Manchester United, competitions like the Europa League will likely be the route to a potential UEFA Champions League place next season.

The two sides famously met in May of this year, with Manchester United pulling off an incredibly deserved victory over their city rivals to secure the FA Cup - with goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.

The game will be available to watch on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event.

Mateo Kovacic returned to the matchday squad in midweek but is unlikely to be selected for this match. John Stones is also likely to be unavailable.

Luke Shaw remains a long-term absentee for Ruben Amorim, who is expected to start Diogo Dalot in his position.

The recent history between the two teams suggests that the current Premier League champions will be the favourites for this game despite their recent form under Pep Guardiola. Manchester City have won four of the previous five meetings between the two sides in the Premier League. The visitors have a poor record in recent times away from home in this fixture, having not won in their previous three visits to the Etihad Stadium - their last victory taking place in 2021 under the tenure of Ole Gunnar Solksjaer. The Citizens have recorded six wins over Manchester United in the previous seven meetings, with the 2-1 win under Erik ten Hag in 2023, the last time Manchester United recorded a league victory over Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola is experiencing his worst run as a manager, with seven losses from ten in all competitions, with his Manchester City side experiencing their worst club run since 2006. Manchester City comes into this game having drawn against Crystal Palace (2-2) and lost against Juventus (2-0), and the current Premier League champions have lost four of their last six league games. In the Premier League, Manchester City are unbeaten in their previous two prior to the Citizens losing their previous four consecutive games - losing ground to Liverpool in the Premier League title race.

Manchester City’s home form is considerably strong. The Citizens have won five of their seven home league games and have only lost once at home in all competitions this season. The hosts have averaged 2.29 points per game at home this season and come into this game following a win over Nottingham Forest on home soil (3-0). However, the performance was less than convincing as Nottingham Forest produced many chances they failed to capitalise on.

Manchester United have lost their previous two league games coming into this fixture, conceding five goals in two games against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest. Ruben Amorim's side have drawn three of their last five in the Premier League away from home, with goalless draws against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa. Since his arrival, Manchester United have won three of their five games under Amorim, Everton (4-0), Viktoria Plzen (1-2) and Bodo/Glimt (3-2).

The Red Devils have an awful away record this season and, admittedly, in the last 14 months. Manchester United has only won once away from home this season, a 3-0 win against Southampton. Their midweek victory over Viktoria Plzen was their first European win on their travels since a 1-0 win over Real Betis in 2023. Manchester United have averaged 0.86 points per game away from home this season, and they lost their last away game in the Premier League 2-0 to Arsenal.

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