ERIK TEN HAG'S Manchester United revolution is starting to gather pace but the acid test of their progress comes with a derby at the Etihad against Premier League champions Manchester City.
Since losing their first two Premier League games under the Dutchman, United have chalked up four successive wins and another here would leave them just two points behind City with a game in hand.
When Teg Hag took over, most people thought it would take him a few seasons before he could make Manchester United genuine challengers to both Pep Guardiola's side and Liverpool.
He has already masterminded a victory over the Anfield giants at Old Trafford but taking on Manchester City on their own patch looks a far more daunting challenge.
Guardiola's side only just pipped Liverpool to the title last term but the marquee signing of Erling Haaland looks to have given them another dimension and they are odds-on favourites for the title.
The Norwegian's tally for club and country already stands at a whopping 15 this season so Man United's defence will face their toughest test of the season containing him.
City's home form has been hugely impressive this term, netting 16 times in four successive wins, and they will be looking to show their neighbours just how much ground they still need to make up before being able to match them.
How the bookies view it
I'm surprised to see Manchester United as big as 8/1 with William Hill given anything can happen in a derby and their league form has been good. Man City's best price is a tiny 2/5 with SpreadEx while the draw pays 5/1 at the same firm.
Recent head to head
Manchester City won both derbies convincingly last season but they haven't had things all their own way in this fixture of late. Four of the last 10 meetings have ended in victories for United, with City coming out on top in five and the other match a 0-0 stalemate.
Players to watch
As usual, Haaland is odds-on for anytime scorer and not great value a best 8/13 with Bet365. But he's 49/20 at Unibet to break the deadlock and McBookie price him at 21/10 to net two or more goals.
Jadon Sancho scored a great goal against Liverpool and is starting to look more like the player who caught the eye at Dortmund. The winger is 15/2 with William Hill for anytime scorer and that looks a bit overpriced.
Anything else catch the eye?
Betting on opposition defenders for cards is a good strategy when they face Guardiola's slick side and I cashed in when Nathan Collins saw red for Wolves last time out. United stopper Lisandro Martinez faces a long afternoon against Haaland, who will tower over him, and I fancy the Argentine for a card at 11/4 with Bet365.
As usual, Unibet have some interesting stats bets and the 7/5 on offer for over 1.5 Manchester City offsides appeals as I don't think Ten Hag will try to park the bus.
Kevin De Bruyne is always good value for an assist and delivered when I tipped him to set up a goal against Dortmund. The Belgian is 6/4 with Unibet for another assist in the derby.
This English Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United will be played on Oct 2, 2022 and kick off at 14:00. Check below for our tipsters best Manchester City vs Manchester United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
