Sparks usually fly in a Manchester derby and there's added spice in this Etihad showdown with both sides looking to bounce back after unconvincing Premier League starts.
It looked like fallen champions Manchester City were getting back to their best when they battered Wolves 4-0 on the opening day, bringing up two bets for our man Greg.
But Pep Guardiola's side have since lost to Tottenham and Brighton, with the defensive frailty that cost them so many points last season in evidence once more.
Back pain has also been chronic for Manchester United, with goalkeeping errors costing them against Arsenal and Grimsby while poor defending saw Burnley score twice at Old Trafford.
But a last-gasp penalty got them out of jail against the Clarets and they head into this derby one point ahead of their rivals across town.
Ruben Amorim now needs a statement result at the Etihad to show he's making progress and it will be fascinating to see how this derby pans out.
How the bookies view it: City are home free
Despite losing two of their first three Premier League games, Manchester City are 7/10 favourites at BoyleSports for this one with home advantage. United are 15/4 outsiders and the draw pays 3/1.
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Recent head to head: United with the momentum
Amorim's record so far in the derby is good, with Manchester United winning 2-1 at the Etihad last season before drawing 0-0 in the Old Trafford return.
That made it four games unbeaten for the Red Devils in this fixture after a 1-1 draw in the Community Shield and their 2-1 win in the 2024 FA Cup Final.
Players to watch: Haaland on fire
Erling Haaland heads into the derby on a high after netting five times for Norway in their 11-1 rout of Moldova. That took his tally to nine in five games this term and he's just 4/5 at BoyleSports for anytime scorer. The odds increase to 5/4 if you back him to score in a City win.
Bryan Mbuemo has made the best start of United's summer signings and he got off the mark in that win over Burnley. The Cameroon forward will fancy his chances against City's leaky defence and is 11/4 for another goal.
Probable line-ups
Omar Marmoush picked up an injury playing for Egypt and joins a City casualty list that also includes Rayan Cherki, Mateo Kovacic and Rayan Ait-Nouri. John Stones is a doubt.
Manchester United will be without Matheus Cunha, Mason Mount, Diogo Dalot and long-term absentee Lisandro Martinez.
Manchester City: Donnarumma, Ait-Nouri, Dias, Akanji. Nunes, Rodri, Reijnders, Silva, Foden, Haaland, Bobb.
Manchester United: Bayindir, Shaw, Yoro, De Ligt, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Fernandes, Diallo, Zirkzee, Sesko, Mbuemo.
Anything else catch the eye?
City look set to hand new keeper Gigi Donnarumma a debut and it could take him a while to build up an understanding with his defence.
Neither backline has impressed so far and it bodes well for a few goals, with BTTS and over 2.5 strikes paying 20/23 at BoyleSports.
United skipper Bruno Fernandes was penalised three times against Burnley while City stiker Haaland has committed a foul in every league game so far.
A double on both of them making over 0.5 fouls in the derby pays 10/11 at Bet365 and that looks good based on those stats.
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