Man United v Man City: Premier League preview, odds, prediction & free tip

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Manchester United v Manchester City in the Premier League.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event, 4.30pm Sunday

Best bet

Manchester United or draw double chance
1pt 5-4 Betfred, BoyleSports, Hills

Team news

Manchester United
Paul Pogba (ankle) and Marcus Rashford (back) remain sidelined and Dan James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka faces fitness tests. A late decision will be made on Harry Maguire (ankle).

Manchester City
Aymeric Laporte (hamstring) and Leroy Sane (knee) are ruled out and Kevin De Bruyne (back) is a doubt.

Manchester derby match preview

Manchester United have won two of their three matches against Manchester City this season and they look overpriced in Sunday's derby.

City are poised to go off as odds-on favourites, yet they have had problems against the Red Devils, who recorded a 2-1 league victory at the Etihad last December.

United are not able to call on injured top-scorer Marcus Rashford, who set them on their way to that away success by winning and converting a 23rd-minute penalty.

But they have found ways of being successful without the 22-year-old, who is expected to be sidelined for at least another month.

The January addition of classy midfielder Bruno Fernandes has made a massive difference for United, who stretched their unbeaten run to nine with a 3-0 victory at Derby in Thursday's FA Cup fifth-round tie.

They are on their longest unbeaten run since the early stages of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reign, when they won ten and drew one of their opening 11 games.

And the recent upturn has put them in a decent position, just three points behind Chelsea in the Premier League and still in contention for FA Cup and Europa League glory.

It is noticeable that since Fernandes' arrival there has been far less discussion of Paul Pogba's ongoing injury problems.

How good is Bruno Fernandes?

Fred has looked a much-improved player and United's midfield has been further boosted by the return of Scott McTominay, who has started the last three matches.

Solskjaer used his resources intelligently on Thursday, making six changes and managing the workloads of Fernandes and Fred, who were withdrawn well before the finish.

There should be no major issues concerning fatigue, allowing United to play with enough energy and sharpness against a team of City's quality.

City were comfortable 1-0 winners in their FA Cup fifth-round tie at Sheffield Wednesday, winning the shot count 20-1, and have had an extra day to prepare.

But they are weakened at the back by the ongoing absence of Aymeric Laporte and there are doubts over the availability of Kevin De Bruyne, who wasn't fit enough to be part of the squad at Hillsborough.

City are 15 points ahead of United, who have played one game more, and are clearly the superior side.

But they have dropped points in nine league matches – three more than in the entire 2018-19 campaign – and their main focus for the rest of the season will be on trying to win the Champions League.

Every game against United is important to them but this clash may mean slightly more to the home side, who look decent value to avoid defeat.