Photo courtesy of Manchester City’s official Facebook page
This weekend will mark the first league meeting of the season between the two Manchester powerhouses within the wonderful Premier League. Whenever Manchester United and Manchester City meet, one team usually earns all three points with a sensational performance.
Well, before we dive into which team boasts the better roster this season, let us take a look at recent meetings below:
2011-2012:
Old Trafford: Manchester United 1, Manchester City 6
Etihad STadium: Manchester City 1, Manchetser United 0
2012-2013:
Etihad Stadium: Manchester City 2, Manchester United 3
Old Trafford: Manchester United 1, Manchester City 2
With City winning three of the last four meetings, they are favorites to win this home derby against their arch rivals. This is not solely based on recent results, but also on the fact that they have added some key pieces to their roster: Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo, Stefan Jovetic and of course Fernandinho. While some of these guys start to make an impact, others jump in off the bench to do the same.
Currently, United are on a roll (as are City) after some brilliant UCL performances in midweek. Now, they have to shift their focus to one another to boost their league standings up a notch so they can catch up to Liverpool, who are leaders by one point ahead of second-place Arsenal. The two Manchester sides are tied with seven points, while City are ahead on goal difference.
The game will be played in City’s Etihad stadium roughly a year after they lost 3-2 on this ground to their rivals. On Sunday, they will look to wipe that memory with yet another recent victory over the Red side of the city.
Prediction: City 2 –United 1. Both sides will create chances, but the defense and speed of the home side will prevail over their opponents.
