Tom McGarry’s selections for Sunday’s Manchester derby include a win for the visitors with their star midfielder finding the net.
Manchester United and Manchester City may not be enjoying the seasons they were hoping for, but Sunday’s Manchester derby is the pick of the weekend’s Premier League action and remains one of the glamour fixtures on the calendar.
United head into the game sitting in the bottom half of the standings and they may well have one eye on the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie with Lyon on Thursday.
City have no European distractions and are fully focused on ensuring they return to the Champions League next season, with their hopes of defending their title having long since disappeared.
There was plenty of drama when these two sides met at the Etihad Stadium earlier in the season – United scoring two late goals to secure a 2-1 comeback success – and Sunday’s clash at Old Trafford could prove equally enthralling.
Here are our Premier League betting selections for the 196th Manchester derby.
Man Utd v Man City tips
Manchester City to win 11/10
Kevin De Bruyne to score at any time 15/4
Bruno Fernandes 3+ shots 2/1
But Builder pays 18/1
City offer value for Old Trafford win
City’s struggles this season have been well documented, but four wins in their last six, including back-to-back successes against Bournemouth in the FA Cup and Leicester in the league, suggest they are, to some degree, finding their form.
The same cannot be said of United, who are set for their lowest-ever Premier League finish, with Tuesday’s loss at Nottingham Forest – their 13th top-flight defeat of the season – leaving them marooned in the bottom half.
Winning the Europa League is the only potential saving grace for Ruben Amorim’s side and although they will be keen to secure the derby spoils – and complete the league double over City – Thursday’s clash with Lyon should surely be the priority.
City are already out of Europe and will be determined to boost their top-four hopes by winning at Old Trafford for the second season running.
The absence of key forward Erling Haaland will not help the Citizens’ cause, but with in-form Omar Marmoush set to fill that void, City offer plenty of value for the win.
Leg 1: Manchester City to win 11/10
Departing De Bruyne could steal the show
The big news in the build-up to this game was the announcement that Kevin De Bruyne will be leaving City at the end of the season after a trophy-laden decade with the club.
With 280 goal involvements in 413 City appearances, De Bruyne will go down as a club legend, with manager Pep Guardiola describing him as “one of the greatest midfielders ever to have played in this country”.
Although his influence has waned this season, the Belgian remains a key City player and he should be refreshed for this clash after being an unused substitute against Leicester during the week.
With seven goal involvements against United across his City career, it would be no surprise if De Bruyne marked his final Manchester derby appearance with a goal.
Leg 2: Kevin De Bruyne to score 15/4
Fernandes to prove United’s driving force again
In a disappointing season for United, captain Bruno Fernandes has managed to maintain his levels, producing 32 goal contributions in all competitions, 18 of which have come in the Premier League.
No United player has managed more shots, on or off target, in the top flight this season, and he has fired off a minimum of three efforts in six of his last eight club appearances.
Fernandes is United’s key player going forward and even if they do come up short on derby day, he should still be heavily involved.
Leg 3: Bruno Fernandes 3+ shots 2/1