Manchester United vs. Manchester City preview

The Manchester Derby is back! Manchester United and Manchester City will meet again in a match that will surely be one to remember. Back on Dec. 7, United defeated City at the Etihad, behind goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

Will City exact revenge at Old Trafford on Sunday?

United will lean on Martial

Manchester United is trying to make a run at the top four and a Champions League berth. Currently in fifth place, the Red Devils are technically in Champions League positioning, because of City’s two-year ban from European competition that begins next season. However, United doesn’t want to leave it to a technicality.

The Red Devils drew last weekend against Everton, and are 2-1-2 in their last five matches. A win against City at home, like they did in December at the Etihad, will help in their quest to get back to Champions League.

Martial is going to need to lead the attack with Rashford out, but he should get some help from Mason Greenwood. On defense United will need to be sound, as it gets beat too easily down the middle. Phil Jones, Victor Lindelöf, and Harry Maguire should be the guys in charge to snuff out any City attack.

Agüero has been key for City

Manchester City may be fighting UEFA’s decision to keep them out of European competition for the next two seasons, but while the club handles that, it will want to solidify its position in second place.

The Citizens have gone 3-1-1 in their last five matches, including a 1-0 victory over Everton on Feb. 22. They’re doing especially well when Sergio Agüero is in the lineup. He has 16 goals in 19 Premier League appearances this season. Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus have also played a lot lately, and when you take their goal totals, combined with main creators Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, and Bernardo Silva, they've combined for 55 Premier League goals. That’s a ton of firepower.

They don’t want to be caught on the counter attack, though, and the key on defense is Kyle Walker being able to get back quickly whenever he presses forward. If the Citizens can keep their defensive shape, it will make the attack even more potent.

Prediction: 3-1 City (+1200)

City has a 3-2-0 in advantage in their last five matches, but United has won the past two contests. City may not have much left to play for in the Premier League, but the Citizens would love nothing more than to deny their crosstown rival a chance at Champions League. Their attack explode against the Red Devils. Manchester City will score three in the first half (+1425) and win 3-1 (+1200).

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