Manchester Utd vs Manchester City prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2023-10-28 15:30.
The Premier League (PL) weekend is rounded off by one of its most iconic fixtures, as Old Trafford plays host to the 191st edition of the Manchester derby. As the balance of power within the city has shifted in recent times, this is a fixture that Manchester United have grown to loathe, losing four of the last five meetings (W1), including the FA Cup final in June as Manchester City went on to match United’s previously exclusive feat of winning a PL, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League (UCL) treble.
While revenge may be on the minds of Erik ten Hag’s players, they also need to concentrate on reviving their poor start to the season, as United languish in eighth ahead of this round. An emotionally charged evening in the UCL in midweek certainly stoked the fire, as Harry Maguire headed United ahead before under-fire goalkeeper André Onana saved a 97th-minute penalty to seal the victory. That win was their sixth this campaign by a one-goal margin, as was their 2-1 success in last season’s corresponding fixture on this ground, albeit the fixture was best remembered for the controversy surrounding Bruno Fernandes’ equaliser.
Manchester City will therefore be looking to avoid losing successive trips to Old Trafford, a fate they’ve not suffered since February 2011. At that stage, City were yet to win their first PL title, while they’ve now claimed the crown seven times, sitting second only to United in that regard (13). Pep Guardiola’s men are now chasing a feat that the Red Devils never managed however, as they could win a fourth successive PL title this year, a cause that would be greatly helped with victory over their arch-rivals.
After a wobble before the international break, Pep Guardiola’s men are looking more like themselves again with a pair of back-to-back wins. A 3-1 UCL victory over Young Boys in midweek was far from straightforward, but winning away is certainly a good sign for City given that they’d lost three of their prior four matches on the road, including both of their last two PL trips.
Players to watch: Manchester born and bred, Marcus Rashford has had a direct hand in a goal in each of United’s last three PL H2H victories, including the winner in January’s 2-1 success. City’s own hitman Erling Haaland netted a brace in midweek, and while he blanked on his only previous trip to Old Trafford, he directly contributed to five goals in a 6-3 H2H win at the Etihad Stadium last term (G3, A2)!
Hot stat: None of Manchester United’s last 21 matches have ended in a draw.