Go! Go! Manchester Derby!
Match Preview and Betting Advice for Man City vs Man Utd in EPL 2024
Date: Sunday, December 15, 2024, 18:30 SAST
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
City's Convention to Crisis
City's current form is a far cry from their fantastic start to the season. They've endured seven losses in their last ten matches, with their once-impressive unbeaten run of 14 now a distant memory. Recently, they were demolished 4-0 by the relentless Spurs at home and held to a 2-2 draw by underdogs Crystal Palace, followed by a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Juventus in the midweek.
On a brighter note, they managed a 3-0 home victory over Nottingham Forest before that, offering a glimmer of hope.
Don't bet on City yet, they're still figuring things out!
United's Rejuvenated Struggle
After briefly showing promise under caretaker coach Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ruben Amorim took over, starting with a 1-1 draw at Ipswich before securing a 3-2 victory against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League. However, they have since fallen back to their previous struggles, losing to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, before securing a much-needed 2-1 win at Viktoria Plzen in the midweek.
United's chaotic squad rotation makes it hard to predict their lineup!
City's Injury Woes and Unavailable Stars
City are without their midfield lynchpin Rodri, while Mateo Kovacic is now available following his suspension. Rico Lewis is also out due to suspension, while winger Oscar Bobb is sidelined with an injury.
Defensively, Manuel Akanji, John Stones, and Nathan Ake are all out injured. However, Phil Foden is back in the mix after recovering from an illness.
United's Auspicious Lineup
Man Utd's only injuries are Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans. Amorim tends to change his lineup heavily, making it nearly impossible to predict the starting XI. Rasmus Hojlund could start upfront in favor of Marcus Rashford following his impressive performance on Thursday.
Leny Yoro and Kobbie Mainoo might find themselves on the bench. Amad Diallo is expected to return to his wingback role, with Alejandro Garnacho back in the XI.
A Chance for the Red Devils?
With City low on confidence, United could see an opportunity to take advantage, given their past struggles against City. The Red Devils might play aggressively, attempting to win at the Etihad.
However, City won't go down easily, and their need to prove themselves, especially with De Bruyne playing his last Manchester Derby, adds another layer of unpredictability to the match.
Key Stats
- City has lost seven out of ten matches, struggling to find their old form.
- City's defense has been leaky, having conceded 23 goals in their last ten games.
- City has lost five out of their last six league games against United.
- United has only won seven games in their last eighteen matches.
The Betting Verdict
This derby is shaping up to be a nail-biter, with both teams eager to grab the three points. Given City's inconsistency and United's unpredictable nature, a high-scoring draw could be the way to go.
Best Bet: Man Utd win/draw double chance (2.40)
Value Bet: Draw (4.45)
Alternate Bet: Both Teams to Score + Over 2.5 goals (1.80)
Disclaimer:Consult a gambling professional before placing any real bets!
Quick Stats: Ranked in the top three teams in the Premier League for both United and City, De Bruyne's impending departure, and United's recent win against Liverpool could affect the outcome of the game.
- The Manchester Derby, scheduled for Sunday, December 15, 2024, at the Etihad Stadium, presents an intriguing spectacle, with City struggling and United showing signs of rejuvenation.
- City's current dismal form, with seven losses in their last ten matches, makes betting on them a risky proposition, as they strive to regain their early-season momentum.
- In football, especially in the European leagues like the Premier League, predicting the outcome can be challenging, given the unpredictability of the teams.
- United's chaotic squad rotation and City's injury woes, particularly the absence of midfielder Rodri and defender Manuel Akanji, add to the uncertainty surrounding the fixture.
- Given City's poor record against United, who have won five out of their last six league meetings, and City's leaky defense, United could see an opportunity to gain the upper hand.
- However, City's need to prove themselves, especially with De Bruyne playing his last Manchester Derby, adds another layer of unpredictability to the match.
- The betting odds for this derby suggest a high-scoring draw as a strong possibility, with the value bet being a draw and an alternate bet of both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals. But remember, always consult a gambling professional before placing any real bets.
