EPL Preview and Prediction: Manchester City vs. Manchester United
The beloved Manchester Derby comes to the Etihad Stadium for a fierce rivalry as EPL Matchweek 4 hits full throttle. For the first time in a long time in the Premier League, Manchester United (ninth) sits above City (13th) with the hopes of maintaining their lead after four matches played.
Can Manchester City reassert their decade of dominance over their counterparts, or will United extend their lead to four points over the Sky Blues? Look out for the kickoff this Sunday at 11:30 AM ET.
Manchester City is a -130 favourite to win on the Premier League odds, while Manchester United is a +310 underdog. A draw is listed at +300.
Manchester City vs. Manchester United EPL Odds and Betting Trends
The Manchester Derby makes for some extra competitive soccer, and in the last five meetings, two of which were Cup Finals, both teams have two wins, one draw, and two losses. The 2023-24 FA Cup Final saw Manchester United steal a 2-1 victory over City, but just three months later, City took home the Community Shield with an 8-7 victory on penalties after regulation ended in a 1-1 draw.
They faced off twice in the 2024-25 Premier League season, with United achieving a 2-1 win after 90 minutes, before meeting once again on Matchweek 31, their most recent confrontation, which ended scoreless at 0-0. City are the slight favourites in this one at -130 on the three-way money line, while United has +310 moneyline odds; however, I can’t count out the conventional +300 draw from occurring in a matchup like this.
Manchester United
United faced tough competition in the first game of the season against Arsenal, which ended in a 1-0 defeat. The Red Devils managed to scrap out a 1-1 draw against Fulham, but their season may be on the rise, especially since their most recent 3-2 win over Burnley, with Bruno Fernandes netting the 90+7’ penalty game winner.
Over the course of three games so far, United have only scored two run-of-play goals from Fernandes and Bryan Mbeumo, with their other two coming from own goals. Part of their recent success may stem from luck, and newly signed Benjamin Sesko has yet to earn his first goal for the club.
Manchester City
We’re only three games in the season, but City have yet to showcase their former championship-winning selves. Their 4-0 win over Wolves was a great start to the season, but when it came to facing real adversity, Tottenham dished out a 2-0 reality check. While the loss to the Spurs was understandable, their 2-1 slip-up against Brighton has many fans questioning the Citizens.
The team still has goal-scoring personnel on par with Arsenal and Liverpool, including the likes of Erling Haaland, who leads the EPL with three goals so far in the season. Both Haaland and Phil Foden have +100 and +255 odds to score in this one. Tijani Reijnnders has also been a crucial implementation this season, earning one goal and one assist, and comes in at +275 for anytime goalscorer.
EPL Prediction: Who Will Win Manchester City vs. Manchester United?
In a total of 186 matches in the Manchester Derby, United have won 16 more than City, although the Citizens have scored five more goals in total. United may be higher in the standings for this game, but City will surely do some damage to their back line with players like Haaland, Foden, Oscar Bobb, and Reijnders.
I don’t see United coming out victorious in this one, especially away from home, and I don’t expect City to drop a whole three points again. That said, I’m going with a 2-2 draw at +300 odds by the end of 90’ in this one.
