BBC football pundit Chris Sutton has stated his prediction for Sunday’s Premier League derby between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.
The Red Devils have been inconsistent in the top-flight this term. They have picked up only 19 points after 15 games into the season. Nottingham Forest beat them by a 3-2 scoreline last weekend.
Despite their mixed form, they should go into Sunday’s game with some optimism, considering Pep Guardiola’s side have won just one of the previous ten outings in all competitions.
City ended a seven-match winless streak this month, but they have since drawn at Crystal Palace before suffering a 2-0 loss to Juventus in the Champions League at the Allianz Stadium.
United go into the Manchester derby in better form after a 2-1 Europa League win at Viktor Plzen, but Sutton believes City will come on top with a 3-1 victory at the Etihad.
He told BBC Sport: “Basically, both teams have been really bad, so what on earth do I go for here? In the recent past I have always gone with City in Manchester derbies.
“While Amorim beat them with Sporting, you have to remember City could have been a few goals up by half-time in that game.
“So, I am going to go with City to win at home and maybe rejuvenate Pep before Christmas.
“Speaking of stats, I have got a good one for you – United never lost three league games in a row in more than two years under Ten Hag, but Amorim will manage that in less than a month if he is beaten here.”
United had a good opening half against Arsenal on the road earlier this month. They were defensively organised and limited the Gunners to minimal shots on target.
There was a sense of frustration among the home supporters, but Mikel Arteta’s side eventually outclassed United with two goals from corners. It could have been more.
Manager Ruben Amorim should go with a similar kind of game plan to frustrate City, but the forwards need to be better on counter-attacks which they failed against Arsenal.
City have looked defensively vulnerable compared to previous seasons. They have conceded a staggering 23 goals from their previous 10 games across all competitions.
Amorim had a big part to play with his Sporting CP side beating City 4-1 at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Sporting CP could have conceded more goals too, but they showed a strong defensive resolve. United need something similar to register a positive result from the Etihad.
Just like Arsenal, City are a threat from set-piece situations. United have worked in training on such scenarios, but they must avoid conceding needless corners and fouls.
United are eight points behind fourth-placed City as things stand. A first win at the Etihad since March 2021 would be a timely boost for their Champions League prospects.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
Article written by Sri Aswin .
