The Big Match: Man Utd v Man City stats, team news, prediction & TV channel

Premier League: Manchester United v Manchester City

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 12.30pm Saturday

Match odds

19-5 Manchester United
8-11 Manchester City
31-10 Draw

Form

Elton John's 'I'm Still Standing' could be the theme tune for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's career as Manchester United manager and the Norwegian is clinging onto his job despite a 5-0 home defeat to Liverpool two weeks ago.

United's 3-0 win at Tottenham last weekend eased the heat on Solskjaer a touch but the same old frailties were exposed on Tuesday's Champions League trip to Atalanta, where the Red Devils needed yet another late strike from Cristiano Ronaldo to claim a 2-2 draw.

Manchester City eased to a 4-1 home win over Club Brugge on Wednesday and they won their last away Premier League game at Brighton by the same scoreline.

The Citizens suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend although they had almost 68 per cent of possession, despite playing the entire second half with ten men, and Pep Guardiola had no complaints about his side's performance.

Team news

Manchester United
Paul Pogba is suspended after his red card against Liverpool and Raphael Varane suffered a hamstring injury at Atalanta. Fellow centre-back Victor Lindelof is doubtful having missed the trip to Bergamo.

Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne was left out against Club Brugge but should return to the starting 11. Aymeric Laporte, sent off against Palace, is banned and Ferran Torres (foot) remains sidelined.

The tactical battle

Solskjaer switched to a three-man defence for the games at Tottenham and Atalanta but he may not have the personnel to continue with that system if Lindelof is not fit enough to replace the injured Varane.

Scott McTominay and Fred are expected to start in midfield as United bid to unsettle a City side who have had 66, 60, 54, 72 and 61 per cent of possession in the last five league and cup derbies.

With Laporte suspended, the Citizens will have last season's rocks John Stones and Ruben Dias at centre-back although Pep's men have kept only two clean sheets in their last eight matches.

Verdict

United's 5-0 loss to Liverpool remains a raw memory for their fans and the win at Tottenham, which prompted the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo, and a scrambled draw at Atalanta hardly represent a renaissance for the Red Devils.

City have been more generous at the back than they were for much of last season but their forwards should be capable of slicing open a depleted United backline and they can extend the recent trend of away victories in Manchester derbies.

Manchester United 1 Manchester City 3

Key stats

• Manchester United have conceded the first goal in five of their last six home games.
• Eight of the last 11 Manchester derbies in all competitions have been won by the away team.
• Manchester City's Raheem Sterling has not scored in any of his 23 appearances against United.

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