The English premier league gets underway again this Wednesday, (April 27th) as local rivals Manchester City and Manchester United battle it out at the Etihad Stadium, with Kick-off set to take place at (21:00 CET/20:00 GMT). The home team enters the Wednesday’s fierce derby showdown, off the back of a crushing defeat to the Gunner’s, which led to a premature exit from the esteemed FA Cup competition. Manchester United head into the derby match, back to winning ways, after successfully securing all three points against Burnley FC. One thing’s for sure, this match-up will undoubtedly be an exhilarating duel between two ferocious adversaries.
MANCHESTER CITY vs. MANCHESTER UNITED
3-Way: 1: Manchester City -108; X: +280 Draw; Manchester United +350
Spread -0.5: Manchester City -108 ; Manchester United +104
Total +2.5 : Over -115; Under +110
MANCHESTER CITY FC
Manchester City’s season has been dealt a decisive blow ahead of Thursday evening’s battle against local opponents Manchester United. The home side crashed out of the FA Cup semi finals in dramatic fashion, after the Gunner’s stole the victory in extra time, courtesy of in-form striker Alexis Sanchez who netted the deciding goal. The rivalry between Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and United coach Jose Mourinho is set to enter another bloody chapter, in the frictional history of these two acclaimed adversaries. It is this element that adds a little extra spice, to what’s set to be an intoxicating spectacle between these two heavyweight sides.
Pep Guardiola’s side are currently ranked 4th in the league, seven points behind title chasers Tottenham, and a further eleven points behind league leaders Chelsea. If Chelsea can wrestle fourth spot away from Mourinho’s rampant Red’s, they will have earned the Champion’s league qualification over their local nemesis, come the end of this season. At the Etihad, the Royal Blue’s has managed eight wins out of a possible fifteen, only losing once as the hosts.
Manchester City is experiencing a prolific run of form coming into this Thursday’s hotly anticipated derby. The Blue’s has managed to claim victory in their last two league encounters, (3:0) away at St. Mary’s, and previously, (3:1) against Hull City at the Etihad. This momentous streak has seen Manchester City go unbeaten in their last eight games held on home soil, which makes this impregnable fortress a menacing prospect for United to overcome.
Pep’s City came out on top against United when the two sides squared off in the derby, back in September. However, Manchester United retaliated a month later, knocking City out of the Football League Cup, with a bruising (1:0) triumph.
Argentinian sensation Sergio Aguero, has had his shooting boots on this season, finding the net seventeen times, out of 26 appearances, and has been awarded man of the match on five separate occasions, which makes this ace front man the one to watch, as we look ahead to Wednesday’s derby.
The Royal Blue’s has had no issue finding the net away from home this season, managing to find the net on 56 occasions. The home side currently possesses the highest ranked attack in the league on the road, netting 36 times from the front. This success is not emulated at the Etihad though, Manchester City is ranked 10th in total goals scored (42) and possesses the 7th most productive attack, with 27 goals for this season.
Key target man Sergio Aguero came off the field injured, in Manchester City’s crushing FA Cup semi final defeat to Arsenal, and it looks to be touch and go, as to whether the irreplaceable forward will recuperate in time for Thursday’s contest. Midfield magician David Silva also left the pitch early and is a major concern. Manager Pep Guardiola will be praying to the footballing Gods, in the hope that both players, whom are instrumental to the squad, will make a swift recovery.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Manchester United attends the Etihad this Thursday ranked 5th in the English premier league, with an accumulation of 63 points so far, this season. The Reds lie one point behind their Manchester counterparts, which makes Thursday’s tussle a tantalizing prospect, as both teams must take away three points in their bids to acquire a Champion’s league playoff position for the following season, and with it, a place among Europe’s elite once more. Manchester United’s league campaign has gradually gained momentum, after a slow and steady start, the team has managed to string together a lengthy unbeaten run, that has seen the Red Devils go 23 matches without defeat domestically.
United will be highly motivated by their recent away form, which is the best in the premier league, at present. The side has been declared victory in 10 of their 15 fixtures played on the road, only having lost twice, and drawing on three occasions. This stubborn United side, has not lost a league clash since way back in October, when title contenders Chelsea humiliated The Red’s with a mesmeric (4:0) thrashing, a match that saw Eden Hazard return to his sparkling best. The dazzling forward terrorized United’s defenses all day long, and scooped up the award for man of the match.
United knew that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a household name in the footballing universe when the Reds first signed the star man, but the impact that the Swedish striker has had, since putting on the Red’s jersey has been astounding. The Manchester United talisman has netted a colossal 28 goals this season, and is joint level on assists with fellow team mate Wayne Rooney.
Marcus Rashford is a player who has really come of age this season. This bright, talented spark has lit the English league alight with his blistering pace, and showed maturity beyond his years, since he burst onto the scene last year. The ace forward has scored 10 times, collecting three assists for this season. Joint level with Rashford on 10, is midfield minotaur Juan Mata and expeditious Armenian Henrikh mkhitaryan, who have both performed well in the Premier league this campaign.
Manchester United right back Antonio Valencia, is set to return to the side in time for Thursdays critical clash. The Manchester United star has been instrumental in defence all season, but has been absent for United’s two previous premier league encounters. Boss Jose Mourinho will be thrilled to add stability to the back -four, ahead of Thursday’s meteoric encounter. Marcos Rojo is out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury, that the Defender sustained during a Europa cup contest against Anderlecht. Record signing Paul Pogba is a major doubt going into Thursday’s match. The talented midfielder Hobbled off against premier league opposition Burnley lately, and is likely to miss this fierce face off between these notorious Manchester rivals.
Manchester City vs. Manchester United Prediction
Manchester City will be desperate to get back to winning ways, after their disappointing exit from the FA cup, which is sure to have dampened spirits in the run-up to this week’s blockbuster, main event. On the other hand, both sides have plenty to play for going in, with a playoff position, for a place among Europe’s elite up for grabs, the steaks have never been higher, in what’s being heralded as the game of the season.
The Red Devils are a totally different team without their main start Zlatan Ibrahimovic who scored 17 goals in the English Premier League this season. With him out for the season, I don’t think that we will see a lot of goals, which is why I am taking the under!!!
In addition, I think that we could easily see a fair draw, but I will put this pick as the additional pick!!!
MY PICK: Under 2.5 goals (-115)
Additional Pick: Draw (+280)
