Manchester City vs Manchester United - Premier League preview and odds

Published on: 27/04/2017

Manchester City vs Manchester United - Premier League preview and odds

April 27, 2017 20:00pm - Etihad Stadium

Premier League

With both sides jostling for top four positions, this week`s Manchester derby will be even more meaningful than usual.

Just one point separates arch rivals in race for top four

The fight for Champions League places heats up as Manchester`s two heavyweight clubs square up in the Premier League on Thursday night. Following Liverpool`s loss to Crystal Palace on Sunday, both sides will be looking to capitalise by claiming all three points.

Manchester City currently have the advantage, occupying fourth place with a total of 64 points. A win would lift them above Liverpool into third, having also played one game less than the Merseyside team. They come into this match on the back of a FA Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal at the weekend. Pep Guardiola`s men have lost just one of their last 18 Premier Leagues on home soil, although they have drawn three of their last five.

Meanwhile, United are just a point behind their rivals and can move into the top four for the first time this season with a win. Jose Mourinho`s men still have two avenues to Champions League qualification open thanks to their continued presence in the Europa League. However, they will not want to take anything for granted heading into this crucial stage of then campaign.

The Red Devils come into this game in good shape having won their last three league fixtures in row including a 2-0 win over top-of-the-table Chelsea. In total, they are unbeaten in 23 league fixtures, with their last defeat coming way back in October.

Team news

The home side will be without David Silva (hamstring strain), Fernandinho (muscular), Sergio Aguero (muscular), Bacary Sagna (groin strain) and Ilkay Gundogan (knee), while John Stones (muscular, doubtful) could also miss out. However, they could be boosted by the return of Gabriel Jesus following his recovery from a metatarsal fracture.

Meanwhile, the visitors will have to cope without the services of Paul Pogba (muscular), Marcos Rojo (ACL), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (combined ACL and PCL rupture), Juan Mata (groin surgery), Phil Jones (toe) and Chris Smalling (knee), while Ander Herrera (ankle) remains a doubt.

Recent form (League)

Manchester City: WWLDD

Manchester United: WWWDD

Betting odds and tips

Manchester City have scored at least one goal in 93% of their home matches this term. However, they also conceded at least once in 80% of those matches. As a result, seven out of 10 of Manchester City`s matches this season have produced 2.5 goals or more.

Meanwhile, Manchester United are undefeated in their last 23 matches and have won their last four away matches in a row. And while they drew 10 of those games, Jose Mourinho cannot afford to be too conservative this time out raising the prospect of an entertaining match.

You can back Over 2.5 Goals at Evens with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 27/04/2017

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (27/04/2017 16:59:21) but are subject to change.