Two heated rivals in dire need of a result clash as Man City host Man United in Ruben Amorim’s first Manchester derby in charge of the Red Devils.
Both teams are in the midst of a truly apoplectic run of form and need to turn around the situation as soon as possible. Man City have won just once in their last six Premier League games and last 10 matches across all competitions as Pep Guardiola seems baffled how to make the tactical adjustments required to make up for injury absences and a dip in the team’s talent level.
United, meanwhile, seem willing to make managerial change after managerial change, with Amorim the latest to have a go, but have changed little in the recruitment department even under new owner Jim Ratcliffe.
Despite both teams presenting questionable long-term outlooks at the current juncture, a win in the short term against a cross-town would go a very long way in placating the increasingly vocal fanbases.
MORE: Latest team news and predicted lineups for Manchester derby on Sunday
Man City vs. Man United prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Draw (+360 on BetMGM)
- Score prediction: Man City 1-1 Man United
It underpins just how far Manchester United have fallen that they are over 4/1 underdogs against a Man City team that has won one of its last 10 games across all competitions.
Both teams need a victory in the worst way, and for that reason, an appropriately desperate result would be a draw, where neither side gets the emotional satisfaction it seeks.
It tracks that neither side is particularly “better” than the other in the truest sense of the word at the moment. Man City are theoretically better, but cannot secure wins. Meanwhile, Man United may not look good doing so, but at least they are grabbing the occasional victory, such as on the road in Kazakhstan midweek in European play.
| BetMGM (USA) |
|
| Man City win | -185 |
| Draw | +360 |
| Man United win | +425 |
| Both teams to score |
Y: -190 N: +130 |
| Over / Under 3.5 goals |
O: +105 U: -145 |
| Man City -1.5 goals |
+130 |
| Man United +1.5 goals |
-185 |
Man City vs. Man United match facts
- Date: Sunday, December 15, 2024
- Kickoff Time: 4:30 p.m. local (11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT)
- Location: Etihad Stadium (Manchester, England)
- Referee: Anthony Taylor, VAR: Stuart Atwell.
- Last meeting: Man City 1-1 Man United (Aug. 10, 2024 | Community Shield)
MORE: Are Man City worse than Man United at this present moment?
Man City vs. Man United best bet
Manchester City have sacrificed all the low-value opportunities that round out a potent attacking unit, but they still manage to grab many of the same high value chances in front of goal. Nearly all of that is down to the brilliance of Kevin de Bruyne, who remains a threat up front even as his teammates falter around him.
De Bruyne has just one assist in his nine Premier League appearances this season (six starts), which is criminal when you consider he’s created an outlandish 25 chances worth 4.34 xG across that span according to Understat.com‘s slightly inflated model.
The Belgian is as good a bet as anyone on the pitch to feed a teammate, as long as the other Man City stars finish the job.
MORE: A complete guide to betting on soccer in the United States
Man City vs. Man United prop bet
- Pick: Manchester United 11+ total shots
- Odds: +105 (FanDuel)
Manchester City come into this match with, quite literally, no defensive midfielders available. Rodri is out for the season with a torn ACL, Mateo Kovacic is injured, and Rico Lewis is suspended. It means one or both of Bernardo Silva and/or Ilkay Gundogan will have to step in, and neither of them are defensively adept.
It means Manchester United will be able to soar through the midfield with little resistance, and they will have enough opportunities to attempt a high number of shots, especially in a game expected to have a good pace to it.