Premier League football resumes after the international break and gameweek four’s action concludes with the Manchester derby on Sunday afternoon at the Etihad Stadium.
Man City had hoped to start their campaign in better fashion, but instead find themselves reeling from successive defeats to Tottenham and Brighton. Those setbacks leave them 13th in the standings, six points behind pace-setters Liverpool.
Adding to their frustration, they sit below Man Utd, who have managed a single point more from their opening three matches.
Pep Guardiola will have addressed any issues over the break and the Citizens are expected to win the first Manchester derby of the season.
Selections
- Manchester City to win @ 4/5
- Jeremy Doku to score or assist @ 8/5
- Bernardo Silva to receive a card,
- Bryan Mbeumo and Tijjani Reijnders to have a shot on target
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City to come out on top
United have been defensively vulnerable this season and City’s attacking threat should be enough to carry them over the line.
United have only won once this season, scraping past newly promoted Burnley as Bruno Fernandes converted a late penalty for a 3-2 win.
Prior to that, they were knocked out of the League Cup, losing on penalties to Grimsby Town after conceding twice in regulation.
City will be eager to put those two early season defeats behind them and prove they are capable of challenging for the title this season, and a statement derby win is an important step.
United vulnerable on their right
Jeremy Doku is still to register a goal or assist this season, but will have his best opportunity yet on Sunday.
With Omar Marmoush sidelined by a knee injury picked up on international duty, Doku is the best fit to start on the left wing.
What boosts his chances is United’s recent record: in their last three matches, the opposition’s left-sided winger has been involved in a goal for Fulham, Grimsby, and Burnley.
Doku’s confidence was also lifted during the international break when he scored twice in Belgium’s 6-0 victory over Kazakhstan.
Doku to score first at 9/1 is another appealing option, City have scored first in eight of their last nine matches.
Feisty Silva to be booked to make up bet builder
Bernardo Silva has been booked in four of his 14 Premier League appearances against United, including their most recent meeting.
Operating on the right side of midfield, he is likely to be involved in challenges to halt United’s transitions and could be susceptible to a professional foul.
Bryan Mbeumo opened his United goalscoring account against Burnley last time out and will want to play a central role again, testing City’s new goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Tijjani Reijnders is another likely to register a shot on target. He has taken five shots in his three league games for City, only one finding the target, and will be keen to improve on that ratio.
United have allowed 10 shots on target in their three Premier League matches this term.