Manchester United v Manchester City: betting markets in focus & analysis

It is one of football's most common cliches that form goes out of the window in a derby, but that was certainly the scenario last season whenever fierce rivals Manchester United and Manchester City met.

Guardiola guided City to derby delight in four of his first six Premier League meetings with United, losing only once, but he hasn’t been able to maintain that superiority since and the noisy neighbours are much quieter now.

A week rarely goes by without Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being put under the managerial microscope and Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat at Leipzig, where another slow start saw them crash out of the Champions League, won’t have helped his cause.

But for only the second time since Guardiola's arrival in the city, Solskjaer has his Manchester United side perched above their rivals in the Premier League table after leading them to four consecutive wins.

Solskjaer had the better of last season’s argument with Guardiola, completing a rare league double and winning 1-0 in the second leg of their League Cup semi-final at the Etihad.

The Norwegian lacks the experience and tactical nous of his opposite number, but a positive head-to-head record (he leads 3-2) against Guardiola cannot be taken away from him. And with City seemingly more vulnerable now than ever before during the Catalan’s reign, why can't Ole repeat the feat?

City had never been lower than fifth after any matchday in any of Guardiola’s previous four campaigns but they found themselves in 11th following their 2-0 defeat at Tottenham last month, which was the fifth time in eight games that they had dropped points.

Comfortable home wins over Burnley and Fulham subsequently have seen their slow start forgotten about, with City still as short as 2-1 for the title.

Guardiola’s gang are also odds-on to buck the recent trend and triumph at Old Trafford, but their big-game mentality must be of some concern to those willing to take the short prices.

Not only did City suffer two Premier League defeats to United last season, but they were also beaten on trips to Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham, who repeated the trick three weeks ago under another Jose Mourinho masterclass.

On each of those six occasions, City dominated possession but struggled to break down a compact defence and, as a result of committing bodies forward, they were exposed by pace on the counter.

That was certainly the scenario in both of last season's league meetings with United, who had just 28 per cent possession each time but were able to break quickly and utilise the speed of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial - the Frenchman scored in both derby duels.

City should again control the tempo of the game but with the fleet-footed Mason Greenwood also extremely capable going forward, Guardiola must be wary of Manchester United’s counter-attacks.

Guardiola didn’t learn from his past mistakes in the recent defeat at Tottenham, who for the second season running were 2-0 winners in London despite having just four shots compared to City's 22.

The visitors must be less wasteful with their chances or risk being on the wrong end of another smash-and-grab raid.

The worry for City fans is that Premier League goals have been harder to come by this season, particularly with Sergio Aguero spending the majority of the campaign on the sidelines. The Argentinian may return but with only 213 minutes of first-team football under his belt this season, match sharpness is the concern.

The Citizens have managed two or more goals in only two of their last eight Premier League games, which came against relegation candidates Burnley and Fulham, and a far sterner test is certainly in store at Old Trafford.

City boast the better manager and have far greater squad depth, but the longer United stay disciplined in defence then the more vulnerable the visitors may become.

To score at any time

Anthony Martial hobbled off at half-time against West Ham and missed the midweek trip to Leipzig, but the fluid Frenchman would make some appeal if making his return for Manchester City's visit.

Two goals in 18 appearances this season is a poor return for a man of Martial's quality but he has scored three times in his last six meetings with City, which included grabbing the opener in the 2-0 win at Old Trafford last season.

Martial has the attributes required to trouble City and is 3-1 with Betway to get on the scoresheet, as does pacy teammate Marcus Rashford (11-4) who has four goals in eight appearances against his arch rivals.

To be shown a card

There were 19 yellows and one red shown in last season's four Manchester derbies and this should be contested just as hotly.

United's starting left-back, particularly if it is Luke Shaw or Brandon Williams, is a focal point, but City's holding midfielder Rodri was booked in all of the three most recent meetings with United and may be of interest at 15-8 with bet365 for another caution.

No City player has committed more Premier League fouls this season than Kyle Walker (14), who was booked in two of his three derby appearances last term. He is 4-1 to be shown a card with bet365.

Not got a bet365 account? Sign up today and get up to £100 in bet credits.

Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport