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

Premier League: Manchester United v Manchester City

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 5.30pm Saturday

Match odds

Man Utd 10-3
Man City 31-40
Draw 3-1

Form

Manchester United are on a run of four successive wins in the Premier League, having seen off Everton, West Brom, Southampton and West Ham, but they have not been in good nick in European competition.

The Red Devils crashed out of the Champions League on Tuesday night after a 3-2 defeat to RB Leipzig which followed a 3-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain, suggesting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men are still lacking quality in big matches.

Fortunately for them, Manchester City have not been in electrifying form either.

Pep Guardiola's men have managed only four wins in their last nine assignments, dropping points against Leicester, Leeds, West Ham, Liverpool and Tottenham this term. However wins to nil over Burnley and Fulham in their last two matches should restore some faith.

Team news

Man Utd
Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial could return after picking up minor knocks which caused them to miss the clash with RB Leipzig. Fred is set to return to the squad.

Man City
Eric Garcia and Ilkay Gundogan are doubts after coming off against Marseille and Sergio Aguero will not start according to Guardiola.

The tactical battle

Guardiola's City have had more possession than their opponents in nine of their ten Premier League fixtures this term and it is unlikely to be a different story against United.

Whether Solskjaer opts for a back three or back four, a constant element of his side this season has been two holding midfielders such as Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic or Paul Pogba with Bruno Fernandes deployed in front.

While the two behind will be key to breaking down the City attacks, Fernandes is crucial to United creating opportunties when they break.

City will need to shut down the Portugal international before he can turn and release killer through-balls down the flank and they should also be cautious of the aerial presence of Edinson Cavani if the Uruguayan is fit to feature.

Verdict

It has so far been a season to forget for Manchester City but modest successes against Fulham and Burnley have put them only six points off top spot with a game in hand.

Their slump in form is only minor when compared to the more deep-rooted problems facing a United side who simply struggle with the big occasions, having lost to Tottenham, Arsenal, PSG and Leipzig this term. City should get the job done.

Man Utd 1 Man City 3

Key stats

• Man Utd have kept only one clean sheet (v West Brom) in their last nine matches in all competitions
• Only Liverpool (174) and Leeds (161) have had more shots in the Premier League than Man City (159) this season
• Only one of Man Utd's six league wins has come at Old Trafford
• Man City rank fourth in the Premier League's big chances missed charts this season with 16

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