Sunday’s Manchester derby promises a tense clash, with Manchester City seeking to regain form and Manchester United battling internal turmoil. A balanced affair with both teams struggling appears to be the likely outcome, and you can see our tips in our match preview article. In addition to that our experts have also crafted a massive 580/1 Bet Builder that you can find below.
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Draw and Both Teams to Score
A draw, combined with both teams finding the back of the net, emerges as an intriguing option for this game. Both Manchester City and Manchester United have displayed defensive weaknesses recently, making a high-scoring stalemate a realistic possibility.
City’s backline is under significant strain due to injuries and suspensions. With Rico Lewis, Rodri, and Nathan Aké sidelined, Pep Guardiola is forced to rely on academy product Jahmai Simpson-Pusey. The young defender will face immense pressure in coping with United’s vibrant attack, spearheaded by Rasmus Højlund. Moreover, City have conceded at least twice in nine of their last ten outings, emphasising their defensive fragility.
On the other hand, United’s defensive issues are equally glaring. Despite some improvement under Rúben Amorim, their away form has been lacklustre, with just one victory in six matches. Goalkeeper André Onana has been error-prone, while the defensive unit ahead of him struggles for consistency. Against a relentless City attack, led by Erling Haaland, keeping a clean sheet seems unlikely.
United’s offensive line, however, has proven adept at exploiting weak defences. Højlund, in exceptional form with five goals in his last four games, supported by Bruno Fernandes’ creativity and Alejandro Garnacho’s flair, is well-placed to capitalise on City’s vulnerabilities. With both sides lacking defensive cohesion, a draw with goals on each side looks like a smart prediction.
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Southampton vs Liverpool Bet Builder Tip @ 17/4 | |
Reasoning Liverpool’s attacking prowess and Southampton’s defensive frailties point to a high-scoring match. Cody Gakpo’s form supports a goal, while both teams’ styles suggest plenty of corners in an open encounter. | |
Erling Haaland to Score Two or More Goals
Backing Erling Haaland to net twice or more is a strong proposition given his history in Manchester derbies. The Norwegian thrives in these high-stakes fixtures and already boasts six goals against United in his brief Premier League tenure.
Haaland’s skill set is tailor-made to expose United’s defensive weaknesses. Lisandro Martínez and Matthijs de Ligt, who anchor United’s defence, have struggled against physical forwards and aerial threats—areas in which Haaland excels. His ability to exploit space behind defenders and convert chances with ruthless efficiency makes him a constant threat.
With creators like Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden supplying him, Haaland is primed to make a significant impact. Considering United’s defensive frailties, particularly on their travels, Haaland doubling his tally for the day seems a plausible outcome.
Rasmus Højlund to Score Anytime
Manchester City’s ongoing defensive struggles create a prime opportunity for Rasmus Højlund to find the net. The Danish forward has been pivotal to Manchester United’s recent attacking success, scoring five goals in his last four appearances.
Højlund’s confidence will be soaring after a quickfire brace against Viktoria Plzeň in midweek. With his sharp movement and ability to finish clinically, he poses a significant challenge to a City defence that has conceded 23 goals in their last ten matches. If United manage to create chances, Højlund is well-positioned to convert them, making him an excellent choice to score during the game.
Bernardo Silva to Be Carded
Bernardo Silva’s recent disciplinary record suggests he could find himself in trouble again. Operating in a City midfield that has lacked balance due to Rodri’s absence, Silva has taken on a heavier defensive workload. This has resulted in him being booked in three of his last six matches.
Against United, Silva will likely face a packed midfield orchestrated by Amorim. The added pressure of breaking up play and United’s pressing game increases the likelihood of fouls. In his recent outing against Liverpool, Silva committed multiple fouls, and a similarly intense match here could see him add to his booking tally.
Matheus Nunes to Be Carded
Matheus Nunes, deployed out of position on the flank, has struggled to adapt to the demands of his new role. His performances have been marred by a lack of end product and a high foul count, which leads Manchester City’s squad despite his limited minutes.
In this match, Nunes will face Amad Diallo, a dynamic wing-back who has drawn 10 fouls this season. Guardiola’s defensive adjustments have placed additional responsibilities on players like Nunes, further increasing the chances of mistimed tackles. Given these factors, Nunes picking up a card seems a logical selection.
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