Manchester United v Manchester City: Back a draw at Old Trafford. The match starts at 13:30 UK time on Sunday, October 23rd 2011
Tip #1: Back a draw at 9/4 with Unibet
Tip #2: Back this match to end Under 2.5 Goals at 4/5 with Unibet
One of the most hotly anticipated Manchester derbies ever takes place this Sunday as United and City go head-to-head at Old Trafford. United are currently in the unusual position of looking up at their neighbours in the league table as City sit two points ahead of them. It is a massive game for both sides as a victory here could go a long way to deciding where the Premier League trophy ends up this season.
Match Preview
United are favourites for the victory and Unibet price them at 20/19 while a City victory is 13/5 and a draw offered at 9/4.
This is the biggest clash of the Premier League season so far as the top two face-off for a vital three points and huge bragging rights. City are currently top and look like legitimate contenders for the title this season, but this is their first big obstacle and their rivals will be doing everything in their power to stop them.
After a terrific start to the season, United haven’t seemed right the last few weeks and have looked sluggish in the Premier League and Europe. They have looked vulnerable, not playing very well and dropping points to weaker opposition. They were embarrassed in the Champions League when they drew 3-3 at home to Basel and then had to rely on two penalties to save themselves away to Otelul Galati on Tuesday. In the league, another lacklustre performance away to Liverpool was produced at the weekend and a Javier Hernandez goal had to secure them the draw. Injuries seem to have disrupted the flow of the team and the electric pace they were demolishing sides with at the start of the season is now gone.
City also seem to have slowed down in the last few weeks after tearing out of the blocks. They have had trouble adapting to the Champions League and only just saved their involvement in the competition with a very late goal to get the win against Villarreal midweek. In the league they are still steamrolling teams but it will be very interesting to see when they come up against a top side such as United.
Last season, Roberto Mancini would have gone to Old Trafford and played with extremely conservative tactics but he will be a bit more ambitious on Sunday. The players that are in the City side are so talented in an attacking sense that it is against their nature to not be creative and go forward. United have problems in midfield and Samir Nasri or David Silva should have no trouble creating a lot of chances for Sergio Aguero upfront.
Prediction
With a host of recurring injuries, it is hard to predict United’s back line these days. Vidic and Ferdinand rarely play together anymore and the defence has looked a bit shaky recently. They are going to be tested on Sunday and City will cause them a lot problems.
United have an abundance of attacking talent themselves in Wayne Rooney, Nani and Ashley Young and they will be trouble for City to deal with. However, in the end, it looks as if both teams will cancel each other out and a draw at 9/4 looks like a good bet. United rarely lose at home but City have improved vastly this season and they can take a point from Old Trafford.
Expect both teams to proceed with a bit of caution, as neither would like to concede an early goal and lose the match. Back this match to end Under 2.5 Goals.
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