A MOUTHWATERING Manchester Derby between United and City at Old Trafford kicks off our weekend entertainment and this has all the ingredients of a cracker.
Back in October, Manchester City walloped Manchester United at the Etihad in a one-sided embarrassment of a mismatch that was 6-1 until a couple of late consolation goals put a shine of respectability on the scoreline for the visitors.
It propelled City eight points ahead of their rivals and the gap between the clubs looked wider than ever.
However, Dutch coach Erik ten Hag has performed something of a miracle since then and his side are now being whispered of as potential unlikely title challengers.
A win at Old Trafford would see United go just one point behind City and six points behind leaders Arsenal temporarily anyway.
While City have been oddly inconsistent this season and prone to throwing in the odd stinker – like in recent home games against Brentford and Everton – United have been the model of consistency recently.
Their routine midweek Carabao Cup win against Charlton Athletic was their eighth in a row in all competitions and ten Hag has got a real tune out of previously woefully underperforming players while the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo has clearly helped too.
City were stunned against Southampton in the Carabao Cup midweek and manager Pep Guardiola probably regretted not starting big hitters Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne. He has hinted at some ‘ridiculous tactical plans' which could be intriguing.
How the bookies view it
Manchester City are solid favourites here despite the lack of home advantage and are odds-on across the board with 5/6 with 10Bet a stand-out.
Manchester United will surely be backed at prices of up to 7/2 with bet365, while the draw is 3/1 with Unibet.
Recent head to heads
As mentioned, City ran amok in that 6-3 win in October. City also completed the double last season United have failed to score in their last three home games against City too.
Players to watch
Marcus Rashford is a man rejuvenated under ten Hag and has scored seven goals in each of his last six matches. He is the penalty taker too and is very tempting at 9/2 with bet365 to score anytime.
You rarely get Europe's top scorer Erling Haaland at evens in any game these days to score and there will be plenty who plump for the Norwegian to net at that price with UniBet.
Anything else catch the eye?
Bookies appear to be non-believers when it comes to the recent hype surrounding United and they seem to think it will go a similar way as October, but the prices look plain wrong on recent evidence.
There's something not quite right about City at the moment and Guardiola's curious tinkering with tactics isn't helping. There's no question that if City play to their potential, they will win, but that's something that's come in fits and starts recently.
The value is on a United, but getting the draw on your side too at 11/10 with 10Bet looks to have a fantastic chance.
United have a great chance if they can find a way to stop Haaland from dominating. They are 11/10 with Ladbrokes to reduce City to scoring one or less and the visitors have failed to score two goals in three of their last four league games.
This English Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City will be played on Jan 14, 2023 and kick off at 12:30. Check below for our tipsters best Manchester United vs Manchester City prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
In December 2020 we sadly 
Btts
Over 2.5 goals
Each team over 2 corners
Each team 2.+ cards
6.6/1 bet 365
Good luck