12 Jun 2019
On the face of things, some will look at this weekend’s Manchester derby as somewhat of a milestone in prospect, to illustrate just how much there has been a changing of the guard in Manchester.
That is, the once seemingly unstoppable force of Manchester United struggling, in stark contrast to the sky rocketing fortunes of an incredible Manchester City side.
Although United have strung together an unbeaten streak of four in the league, that is dwarfed by a City team that are unbeaten all season, having conceded a mere 4 in 11 and scored an average of three goals a game in the process.
In their last three Premier League games, City have scored no fewer than five goals in the first 18 minutes combined, having twice enjoyed five goal winning margins against Southampton and Burnley.
Defence the best form of attack…
Yes, we know that the phrase is typically voiced the other way around, but in the case of City it really is interchangeable because they have been so solid in all departments this season.
Aymeric Laporte has become a stalwart for them in the back four, that has earnt him a Premier League record streak of 20 straight games unbeaten to open his City career. Meanwhile, United have been woeful in defence with just one clean sheet so far.
Not only are Fulham the only team to have recorded less clean sheets, but to illustrate just how poor Manchester United have been defensively, at this stage last season they had seven more clean sheets and had conceded just five compared to an already substantial tally of 18 this time around.
Wing Men
With a record like that, we only see this one ending one way such is the firepower that City possess going forward. Aguero has contributed two of the aforementioned five fast starting goals in recent weeks, and looks a good bet at odds of 13/5 to score first.
The little Argentinian recorded his 150th Premier League goal for City in just his 217th appearance against Bournemouth - only Alan Shearer (212 games) has scored 150 in fewer games in Premier League history.
That being said, it’s City’s rampant wingers that we’ve got our eyes on to cause the biggest threat, and in particular it’s hard to look past Raheem Sterling getting his name on the scoresheet.
Sterling has a ridiculous record this season, involved in a goal every 70 minutes so far. He’s now contributed 25 goals in 19 Premier League appearances at the Etihad since the start of last season, making him an enticing prospect to score anytime at odds of 11/8.
Alongside him, Riyad Mahrez has already bagged himself four league goals this season, the joint third highest among midfielders. If he can also get his name on the scoresheet, a City win looks likely at Premier League betting odds of 4/11.
The Forgotten Man
For United, although big money signings Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez earnt themselves an assist apiece last time out against Bournemouth, they’ve only managed a single goal each in open play in this year’s Premier League.
Add to that the fact that target man Romelu Lukaku not only looks an injury doubt but has a woeful record against ‘Big Six’ opposition with just one goal in 14 attempts as a United player, and it could be time for Anthony Martial to step-up here.
The Frenchman had become somewhat of a forgotten man at Old Trafford, but has scored five in his last four Premier League appearances to drag himself back into the ascendency of late. At odds of 16/5 to score anytime he certainly looks worth a punt.
United to win it at the death?
If City are the fast starters, it must also be noted that no team has come from behind to win more points in the Premier League this season than United. Having notched seven in that fashion, Rashford recently joined Paul Scholes and Robin Van Persie as the United players to have netted most 90th minute winning goals in the Premier League era.
If he can score late on again, United could be in with a shot still at Premier League betting odds of 7/1 to win.
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