Manchester City vs Manchester United: EPL Previews, and Predictions

This weekend's Premier League action is headlined by two fallen Manchester giants as Manchester City and Manchester United rekindle their animosity at the Etihad Stadium in Sunday's Manchester derby.

Although this will be manager Ruben Amorim's first derby since joining the 20-time English champions, he oversaw a thrashing of the Citizens in 2024–25.

Previous Matches and Head to head

After Man City's most humiliating European match, in which Juventus defeated the English champions 2-0 on Turin soil thanks to goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie, Pep Guardiola is clearly not having a winter wonderland experience.

After a promising start when Nottingham Forest lost 3-0 at the Etihad, City continued their poor form in the Premier League away at Crystal Palace's Selhurst Park stadium, where they had to score twice in the second half to salvage a point.

Man City are currently eight points behind league leaders Liverpool and are desperately trying to hold on to a top-four position in the Premier League table. They are reeling after suffering their seventh loss in ten matches across all competitions, a run of results that could reasonably result in the dismissal of most managers if Guardiola were not involved.

City could be eliminated from the Champions League spots before the derby if Saturday's results go against them. The only silver lining for City fans is that their struggling team scored three goals in consecutive home games against Feyenoord and Forest.

City have only managed to keep a clean sheet once in their disappointing 10-game run, against Nuno Espirito Santo's team. In their other nine matches, Guardiola's men have shipped at least two goals, including four to Sporting Lisbon, who were inspired by Amorim, before the Portuguese team responded to Old Trafford's call.

In the Champions League, City's Swedish wonder Erling Haaland was helpless against Juve's formidable defence, while Rasmus Hojlund, a Nordic marksman for Manchester United, gave his colleagues, and Andre Onana in particular, the spark they needed to escape Viktoria Plzen's clutches.

As a result of Hojlund's brace off the bench, Amorim joined an exclusive club of Manchester United managers—along with Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson—who won both of their first two continental games in charge of the club. Man United's starting goalkeeper was responsible for Matej Vydra's opening goal in the Europa League affair.

A European win would have been the perfect remedy for United's two consecutive Premier League defeats at the hands of Arsenal and, shockingly, Nottingham Forest. The latter took advantage of Onana and his defense's blunders last weekend, dropping United to an unfortunate thirteenth position in the league.

The road ahead does not seem good for Manchester United, but Amorim could do worse than repeat his incredible 4-1 thrashing of City with Sporting in the midst of mounting cynicism and criticism of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's role among chaos behind the scenes.

The Red Devils have won only twice in their previous thirteen league games played on opponent territory, have lost their last five Premier League away matches, and have only defeated Southampton away from home this season.

Also, in their last three meetings at the Etihad, Man City have triumphed over their once-loud neighbours. If Guardiola's men enjoy a derby victory on Sunday, it would be the first time in Amorim's young managerial career that he has lost three consecutive top-flight matches.

Manchester City x Manchester United Team News

City defender Rico Lewis, who scored a fantastic equaliser against Crystal Palace and then walked the walk of shame, will miss the Manchester derby due to suspension. He might be one of six Citizens to sit out United's visit.

With injuries to Rodri (ACL), Oscar Bobb (leg), and Nathan Ake (thigh) keeping them out until 2025, Manuel Akanji (unspecified) and John Stones (foot) are also likely to miss Sunday's big game, which might force Guardiola to use a young, untested defensive player.

In a rare good development regarding injuries, Mateo Kovacic was back on the bench in midweek and could be considered for a midfield start; either Jahmai Simpson-Pusey or Josh Wilson-Esbrand should step in for Lewis at left back.

On the other hand, Manchester United's injury report is almost devoid of any notable players except for the once-in-a-lifetime Luke Shaw (who just had a setback in his recuperation from a calf injury) and the doubtful Jonny Evans (who is only expected to start on Sunday).

After Joshua Zirkzee and Marcus Rashford's lacklustre performances in midweek, Amorim is sure to make extensive changes for Derby Day, continuing a trend that has garnered attention since the Portuguese took over as manager of the club.

Mason Mount and Alejandro Garnacho, two Hojlund players who may trouble an ill-tempered Kyle Walker, could join the offensive trio. It will be interesting to see if Amorim thinks Leny Yoro is prepared for a match of this importance.

Our Predictions

Manchester City to win @ 1.62 on Sky247.ng

For the second time this season, Guardiola and Amorim may see their teams share five goals in a Manchester derby, thanks to City's weakened defence, Manchester United's tendency to let goals in and the visitors' poor away form.

Nevertheless, it is highly unlikely that the Portuguese will replicate their 4-1 thrashing of Sporting; we support Manchester United to score multiple goals against a City defence that is missing key players. However, the champions are still a formidable attacking force at home and can take advantage of the visitors' weariness from Thursday night to win an exciting match.

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