Match of the week | Can United in top-form knock off Haaland this time?

The neighbourly feud in Manchester has always been fraught, but this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. it will take on another new dimension. The last three matches between them were won by City, who again are the favourites according to the bookies. United are in a great run of form, however, and under manager Erik ten Hag seem to be right back at the top. This will also be a direct showdown between two top strikers. Erling Haaland is shooting the league to pieces and was almost single-handedly responsible for United's massive defeat in the outward match, while his counterpart Marcus Rashford has already found the net six times in a row.

What are the forms like?

Manchester City will have headed into the weekend with a hangover for several reasons. Not only was the 2-0 defeat in the EFL Cup against Southampton quite unexpected, the manner in which that defeat came about was disconcerting. City had virtually nothing to contribute against the Premier League's straggler, failing to even manage a shot on goal. Erik ten Hag, who has excellent tactical skills, must have watched the match rubbing his hands. Yet Manchester City's form is still impressive. Seven of the last ten games were won.

Manchester United are doing a bit better in terms of form. Since the first two games of the season, which were lost, The Red Devils have won 11 of 15 games. The last eight official games have been turned into wins, so the team will start the derby with confidence at its own Old Trafford.

Who will score and how many?

If you have to point blindly to someone who scores, Erling Haaland is normally your best bet. He has already scored 21 times, in just 16 games. In 12 of the 16 Premier League games so far, he has scored at least once. However, it is notable that he has been dry a bit more often lately. In the last seven league games, he failed to score three times. A goal by Haaland yields 1.90 times your stake on your bet.

For Manchester United, Marcus Rashford is in the form of his life. The Englishman has scored in the last six games in a row and gets no less than a quotation of 4.33 for a goal against The Citizens. Striking is the fact that Manchester United almost always score in the second half. On average, United score 1.13 goals per second half at home. In 75% of home games, United scores at least once in the second half, compared to 62% in the first half. In away games, we see a similar distribution, with 56% (scoring at least one goal in the second half) versus 44% (scoring at least one goal in the first half)

Mutual relationship United-City

The last match between the two rivals ended in a 6-3 victory for Manchester City, which left no stone unturned by their rival, especially thanks to an unleashed Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker scored a hat trick and also provided an assist. For United, former Ajax-star Antony and Frenchman Anthony Martial provided the goals.

Manchester City won the last three matches against United. If that happens again now you will get 1.90 times your stake back, while a Manchester United victory will earn you as much as 4.20 times your money. That quote for United is extra tasty when you look at the away and home statistics. At home, United have only conceded four goals, winning 75% of their matches.

Weghorst and €85 mln player miss derby

At Manchester United, Wout Weghorst is not yet eligible to play. The Dutch targetman is rented from Burnley for a small fee, but this match comes too soon. His compatriot Donny van de Beek cannot play either, as he suffered a serious knee injury last game. Moreover, Jadon Sancho, acquired from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2021 for €85 mln, is also not yet match fit.

Manchester City are dealing with some defensive injuries, which looks like good news for United's attackers. Ruben Dias will miss the match due to a thigh injury, while other central defender John Stones is a doubt.