One of the great derbies in the English Premier League is set for Sunday as Manchester City heads across town to take on Manchester United at Old Trafford. For years, United dominated this rivalry while City remains in the basement of the Premier League. However, recent years have seen a reversal, as City is a perennial contender. This year, the EPL is all about Liverpool, atop the table with 79 points and just one loss and one draw against 26 wins. City is in second plays — but they are 22 points back, with a record of 18-3-6 (57 points). Manchester United is tied with Wolves in fifth place with 42 points, and the Red Devils need to pull clear of Wolves if they want that slot in next year’s UEFA Champions League. Can the Red Devils hold off the Citizens at home? Or will City keep on steamrolling? Don’t miss our soccer odds preview of one of the best soccer rivalries in all of Europe.
Man United vs Man City 2020 Premier Game Preview & Betting Odds
- When: Sunday, March 8, 2020, 12:30 pm ET
- Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
- TV: NBC
- Radio: TuneIn.com
- Live Stream: NBCSports.com
- Soccer Odds: Manchester United +440 / Draw +300 / Manchester City -169
Why should you bet on City?
Manchester City’s last EPL match came on February 22, a trip to Leicester City that did not feature much in the way of offense. The Citizens ended up coming away with a 1-0 win over the Foxes. It looked like the match might end in a scoreless draw, but then Gabriel Jesus broke through in the 80th minute for the visitors.
For the match, City possessed for 69 percent of the time and outshot the Foxes, 18-10 (7-3 on target). They passed the ball more than twice as many times as Leicester City did, and they had 89 percent accuracy. There were plenty of challenges in the match, as the sides combined for 24 fouls. City forced seven corners, to just three for the hosts. Given the dominance in other statistical areas. Since that win over Leicester, though, Manchester City has looked more impressive. They went to Real Madrid and won, 2-1, in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie; they beat Aston Villa in the Football League Cup Final; and they beat Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup’s fifth round. So they seem to be ready for the challenge, no matter where, as none of those games were at home.
Why should you put your money on Man U?
Manchester United would certainly to get more offense than they had at Everton last weekend. They visited the Toffees on Sunday and left Goodison Park with a 1-1 draw. Everton got on the board first, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored in just the third minute of play. Then Bruno Fernandes brought the Red Devils level in the 31st minute, but that was all the scoring that would take place.
Everton outshot the visitors, 16-14 (5-5 on target), although the Red Devils possessed for 56 percent of the match. Everton also mounted more pressure, forcing 13 corners to just eight for Man U. The game was fairly physical, with each team committing 11 fouls and the two sides combining for seven yellow cards. Even with this match coming at home, Man U has to get more action moving forward if they hope to pick up a win against City.
United vs City Final Score Prediction
While City’s offense has not been explosive as of late, it has been efficient, and it has done the job. I see City going across town and delivering a win in the derby. I predict a scoreless first half and then a bit of a flurry after the intermission, with a final score of City 2, Man U 1.
