[3:00 PM] Manchester City @ Manchester United

Which TEAM will ADVANCE?

Manchester City

@ Manchester United

 

Recent Results:

Manchester City: 0-3-2

Manchester United: 2-2-1

 

Current Odds:

Manchester City: (-110)

Manchester United: (-120)

 

• Pep Guardiola is under pressure having failed to win any of his last five matches in all competitions. However, you’d expect the Manchester City manager to be confident enough to make changes and field some of City’s youngsters. Kevin de Bruyne has been ruled out of the Manchester derby with a calf injury. Claudio Bravo will be rested and replaced by Willy Caballero between the sticks.

• Jose Mourinho is under pressure following Sunday’s humilating 4-0 defeat at Chelsea on Sunday and it doesn’t get much easier as he prepares to face Pep Guardiola for the second time this season. This may not be the time to make many changes as another defeat, particuarly a heavy one, would be even more damaging to the Manchester United manager. Paul Pogba is in poor form, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic has only scored one goal in his last eight matches for United. Neither are expected to be dropped any time soon.

• Neither side come into this fixture in good form. Jose Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge ended in his biggest ever Premier League defeat, while Pep Guardiola reportedly held the Manchester City players in the dressing room for an hour after their 1-1 draw against Southampton, which was their fifth game in a row without a win.

• Guardiola has a far superior record in matches against Mourinho and will be confident of overcoming United for the second time this season, despite their winless run. Mourinho needs this win far more than his opposite number but that doesn’t guarentee anything. City are the only team to beat United at Old Trafford this season and should enjoy similar success on Wednesday night.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Manchester City

Confidence: 5/10

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