The meeting between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday night will be the third time the teams have played each other this season. Both have claimed one victory but these will be forgotten about as Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho lock horns for their biggest clash of the season.
Manchester City vs. Manchester United
English Premier League – Thursday 27th April 2017 – 9pm
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Draw Best Odd of: 11/4 at Ladbrokes |
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Manchester City
Manchester UnitedManchester City Recent Form
Manchester City come into this massive Premier League encounter on the back of a disappointing result in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. Having taken the lead against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, Manchester City allowed Arsenal to equalise and force the match into extra-time. It was the Gunners who showed more of an attacking threat in the final 30 minutes and Guardiola’s team slumped to a 2-1 defeat.
That loss makes it just 2 wins from their last 7 matches in all competitions. City cannot afford to lose many more games before the end of the season because as things stand, they are just 1 point clear of fifth placed Manchester United and could easily slip out of the top four. The Citizens were expected to challenge for the Premier League title this season so anything other than a top four place would be disastrous.
Manchester United Recent Form
Manchester United also had eyes on the Premier League crown at the start of the season but this soon became out of reach. The Red Devils have improved as the season has developed and have a 23-match undefeated Premier League record to defend at the Etihad Stadium.
It’s Manchester United’s away form which has been the catalyst for their push towards the top four places this season. The Red Devils have won 8 and drawn 2 of their last 10 away Premier League games. During this run of matches Manchester United have scored 22 goals and conceded only 5, which is a good record.
Manchester City have not been at their best at home this season, despite suffering only one defeat. Guardiola’s men lost 3-1 to Chelsea but have also dropped points against Everton, Southampton, Middlesbrough, Tottenham Hotspur, Stoke City and Liverpool. Mourinho will look at that list of teams and believe Manchester United have enough to take something from this game.
While Manchester United have been defensively sound of late, conceding 1 goal in their last 5 games, Manchester City have kept just one clean sheet over the same period, despite the return to the team of captain Vincent Kompany.
Guardiola vs Mourinho Part III
The Belgian international should be fit to continue in defence for this match but Guardiola must wait on news of Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho, David Silva, Bacary Sagna and John Stones, who are all rated as doubtful. Manchester United will be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Juan Mata. Mourinho is also waiting on the fitness of Paul Pogba, Antonio Valencia and Ander Herrera.
Despite potential selection problems, the momentum is with Manchester United and you can get 16/5 with Ladbrokes for the Red Devils to take maximum points from this game. Anthony Martial was impressive against Burnley on the weekend and can be backed at 3/1 with Ladbrokes to score anytime.
Top Betting Tip
Both teams have scored in 10 of Manchester City’s last 12 home Premier League games, 6 of which have ended in draws. Given Manchester United’s great unbeaten run, the draw and both teams to score at 7/2 with Ladbrokes seems like a good bet.