Man City have a fully-fit squad but Man Utd will again be without David de Gea; Follow Man City vs Man Utd live on Sky Sports PL and Main Event from 4pm; Kick-off 4.30pm; Watch free highlights shortly after full time on Sky Sports website and app
Tuesday 9 March 2021 08:44, UK
Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Man City vs Man Utd in the Premier League on Sunday (kick-off 4.30pm).
Manchester City have a fully-fit squad available for the derby at the Etihad Stadium.
With centre-back Nathan Ake now available after a muscular problem, City have no players in the treatment room for the first time this season.
After making six changes for the midweek win over Wolves, manager Pep Guardiola is again likely to shuffle his pack as the Premier League leaders chase a 22nd successive win in all competitions.
Dean Henderson will start in goal for Manchester United after first-choice stopper David de Gea returned to Spain for the birth of his first child.
Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek missed Wednesday's goalless draw at Crystal Palace through injury, but manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is "hoping to get one or two back" this weekend.
Paul Pogba is unlikely to return from his thigh injury, but Victor Lindelof could start as United continue to manage an ongoing back issue. Juan Mata and Phil Jones are out.
Man City vs Man Utd is a game Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
Manchester United remain a team that wins matches based on individual quality. It's an unsustainable model in the long-term in terms of their title credentials but one that can make them a consistent top-four side. On their day, they can beat Manchester City.
The problem for this fixture is that all of United's attacking game-changers are low on confidence and out of form.
Bruno Fernandes, who has 40 goal involvements in 41 appearances for the club, has scored just two non-penalties in his last 13 games and comes into this 'big six' encounter knowing he's netted just one non-penalty in eight fixtures with the elite teams this season. He has been 'Mr Invisible' when it has mattered for United. In fact, United have failed to score in their last six Premier League games vs 'big six' opponents - a total of 628 mins.
Then you have Manchester City, who can attack you from all angles. If Ilkay Gundogan doesn't get you, Joao Cancelo probably will and if he doesn't, then Ruben Dias will from a set piece. I think 21 wins is going to become 22. A City win to nil makes plenty of sense at 7/4 with Sky Bet.
It's not often you can access odds of 7/1 about the best attacking player on the pitch - who is also likely to take a penalty - to score first in a match. But that's what we're getting here with Kevin De Bruyne, who has 16 assists in all competitions this season but nowhere near as many goals.
This strange season is rather summed up by De Bruyne's goalscoring stats. In a season where Manchester City are romping to the title, De Bruyne only had bagged three goals - two of those penalties. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has scored more non-penalty goals than last year's PFA Player of the Year winner.
However, this solitary non-penalty goal has come against the backdrop of a mighty 5.45 non-penalty expected goal figure, which brings forward the argument that De Bruyne has been knocking on the door.
The data suggests an underperformance - something that should equal out between now and the end of the season. That is backed up by his colossal figure of 69 shots at goal over the course of the season. Keep shooting, Kevin, and one will drop. The 7/1 with each way stakes in mind simply must be taken.
JONES KNOWS PREDICTS: 2-0
BETTING ANGLE: Kevin De Bruyne to score first (7/1 with Sky Bet)
In this week's Pitch to Post preview podcast, Alice Piper is joined by Sky Sports News reporters Ben Ransom and James Cooper to look ahead to the Manchester derby. Can City end United's 21-game unbeaten away run to stretch their Premier League lead to 17 points?
We also hear from Rob Dorsett ahead of the Midlands derby between Aston Villa and Wolves, with both sides looking to return to winning ways.
And Michael Bridge gives us his verdict on Tottenham's recent resurgence, as they prepare to welcome Crystal Palace.
Listen to the Sky Sports Pitch to Post Podcast on: Spotify | Apple | Castbox