FIERCE rivals Manchester United and Manchester City will go toe-to-toe for the fourth time this season at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side silenced their noisy neighbours in the reverse fixture back in December and the Red Devils courageously crashed out of this season's Carabao Cup when winning 1-0 at the Etihad.
The Old Trafford faithful, despite turning the Citizens over on their own turf on two occasions this term, will be mindful of the first-half mauling that Man City dished out to United when these two foes faced off in the first-leg of their League Cup last four showdown at this venue.
That dazzling City display was enough to send Pep Guardiola's star-studded side into last Sunday's Carabao Cup Final where the Citizens added another piece of silverware to their growing trophy haul under the Spaniard's stewardship.
After meekly surrendering their Premier League crown to runaway leaders Liverpool, City look determined to take all of the remaining trophies that are available to them and they will make the short trip across the city targeting a sixth straight win in all competitions.
Standing in City's way will be an upbeat Manchester United outfit who's current nine match unbeaten run has brought a sense of optimism back to Old Trafford.
Winning the Europa League was widely regarded as the Red Devils best route into next season's Champions League, however, United blew the Premier League's top-four race wide open with a 2-0 success at Stamford Bridge last month and a win on Sunday could go a long way to seeing the hosts return to Europe's top table next term.
The Betting Odds
Manchester United, despite winning three of their last six meetings with Manchester City, go into this clash as big underdogs at 4/1 with Bet 365.
Only three draws have been played out across the last 36 Manchester derbies and a share of the spoils on Sunday is deemed unlikely at 7/2 with Betfred.
Man City are odds-on favourites at a best 4/6 with Betfred to claim Manchester derby bragging rights.
The Betting Angles
I successfully backed Manchester United to make the net bulge during both of their visits to the Etihad this season and I fancy Solskjaer's side to get on the scoresheet on Sunday.
Indeed, a United strike looks short at 1/2 with Betfred, however, adding the hosts to hit three or more corners will boost those odds up to a much more enticing 21/20 (Betfred) with the same firm.
Taking the above-mentioned betting angle would have banked profit in two of the three derbies that have been contested this term and given Man United's recent upturn in form, I'm happy to side with a repeat this weekend
What's more, I struck gold by backing Aston Villa to grab a goal at Wembley last weekend and Man United's midfield maestro Bruno Fernandeds could have the tools to trouble a brittle Blue Moon backline.
Whether or not the Red Devils strike remains to be seen, however, the hosts will be hard tasked when trying to shut-out the deadliest attack in the division and that is reflected in the skinny looking 8/13 (Ladbrokes) that is on offer for both teams to score.
However, backing both teams to hit the back of the net and for both teams to take a corner in each half takes greater appeal at 6/4 with Betfred.
The Red Devils will be roared on by a raucous home crowd and their recent record against their City rivals will give them confidence of claiming another derby-day scalp, not to mention the Citizens have stumbled in four of their last nine top-flight road trips.
With that in mind, coupled with Solskjaer's knack for formulating a plan to thwart the heavyweights of the division, backing a Man City win on Sunday looks too short to me.
Better value could lie in the card markets given that card-happy Mike Dean will oversee a meeting involving two rivals who regularly rack up cards when locking horns.
Man United are the fifth-most ill-disciplined side in the Premier League and City's expansive style can often leave them exposed, which in turn can lead to them committing cynical fouls – something that is feasible on Sunday given the amount of flair and pace that United possess.
With that in mind, as well as the fact that Mike Dean has the whistle, the 20/23 that is available with Bet 365 for each team to collect over one card in this clash catches my eye.
This English Premier League match between Man United and Man City will be played on Mar 8, 2020 and kick off at 16:30. Check below for our tipsters best Man United vs Man City prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
