Man City vs Man Utd preview, how to watch, team news, line-ups and prediction

Manchester City will be looking to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool with a win over Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Cityzens head into the Manchester derby off the back of a resounding 6-2 victory over Luton Town in the FA Cup. Erling Haaland stole the show at Kenilworth Road as he scored five goals to help book City’s place in the quarter-finals of the competition. Man City will now face Newcastle United in the last-8 as they continue their march towards an historic back-to-back treble.

However, City will have to switch focus back to league matters as they continue to battle-it-out with Liverpool and Arsenal for the title. Liverpool hold a one point lead after 26 games but with just two points separating the top three, it couldn’t be tighter at the top of the Premier League table heading into March.

As is usually the case at this point in the season, Manchester City seem to be hitting form at just the right time. Pep Guardiola’s men are on an 18-game unbeaten run in all competitions that stretches back to the 1-0 loss to Aston Villa on December 6th. During that run, City have won 16 and draw the other two, so there is no denying the winning machine is in formidable form.

However, while results have been exemplary, some have questioned City’s performances of late. Before thrashing Luton on Tuesday night, City had scored just three goals in their last three league games. A 1-1 home draw with Chelsea was followed by narrow 1-0 wins over Brentford and Bournemouth. Some critics suggested they were fortunate to win both those games, while others say it was a sign of champions for City to win when not playing at their best.

Whatever the view, the fact is Manchester City sit just one point behind Liverpool and we all know how strong they are during the business end of the season, so they are rightly considered favourites to reclaim the title this season.

City will also be confident of beating their north-west rivals on home soil this weekend to maintain the pressure on Jurgen Klopp’s men. United head to the Etihad Stadium off the back of a rather fortunate 1-0 win away to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup. Casemiro headed home the winner with just two minutes remaining at the City Ground to book United’s place in the quarter finals, where they’ll face Liverpool at Old Trafford.

The performance was below par, but it was vital for Man Utd to win on Wednesday night as they look to salvage something from a disappointing campaign. The Red Devils saw their top four hopes dented by a costly 2-1 home defeat to Fulham last weekend. That result has left them sitting sixth in the table and eight points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa, so United have it all to do if they want to be playing Champions League football again next season.

How to watch

Manchester City vs Manchester United will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, kicking off at 3.30pm at the Etihad Stadium. Subscribers can follow all the action on their TV, or via the Sky Go app on mobile or tablet.

The game is already sold out via the official club websites, but match going fans can still buy Man City vs Man Utd tickets through trusted resellers such as seatsnet.com.

Team news

Manchester City were dealt a fresh blow after Jack Grealish picked up a groin injury against Luton Town in midweek. The England international is still being assessed but he’s already been ruled out of the derby this weekend.

Josko Gvardiol will be assessed ahead of the game after missing the last few games with an ankle injury. The defender has returned to training so he’ll hope to prove his fitness and return to the squad on Sunday.

Manchester United head into the game coping with a crippling injury list. Rasmus Hojlund is still recovering from a muscle problem while Anthony Martial remains out with a groin injury so Ten Hag has limited options up front.

Harry Maguire sat out the win at Forest and remains a doubt while Aaron Wan-Bissaka is still on the sidelines. Luke Shaw is also some way off full fitness due to a thigh injury while Lisandro Martinez is facing at least another month out with a knee injury.

Summer signing Mason Mount is another long-term absentee for Man Utd but Bruno Fernandes came through the Forest game unscathed after recovering from a knock so he should be fit to start on Sunday.

Likely line-ups

Guardiola is expected to rotate his squad to keep things fresh and he has a wealth of options to choose from. Number one goalkeeper Ederson will return in goal after being rested in midweek so Stefan Ortega drops out.

Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez were all named on the bench for the FA Cup win and they’ll be fighting it out to replace Grealish in City’s attack on Sunday.

Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva should keep their places along with Haaland but Rodri will be recalled to start in midfield after being given a breather against Luton Town. Ruben Dias could also come back into the defence with Manuel Akanji the most likely to make way if John Stones is fit.

Ten Hag doesn’t have the luxury of being able to call upon several top class players from his bench so we’re unlikely to see many changes from the side that beat Forest.

Kobbie Mainoo should be recalled in midfield with Scott McTominay making way. If Maguie is passed fit to return, he could start alongside Raphael Varane with Victor Lindelof or Sofyan Amrabat at left-back. Antony could keep his place on the right flank with Garnacho and Marcus Rashford offering support in attack.

Likely Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Ake, Rodri, Kovacic, Silva, De Bruyne, Foden, Haaland

Likely Man Utd XI: Onana, Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Lindelof, Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes, Antony, Garnacho, Rashford

Prediction

Derbies are always hard to predict and Man Utd will be desperate to pick up a positive result to boost their hopes of finishing in the top four this season. However, the Red Devils have injury problems in defence and attack, so it’s difficult to see them getting a result on Sunday.

City have a large squad that is packed with quality and Guardiola can bring in five top class players this weekend. Ten Hag on the other hand will put out a side largely the same as the one that struggled at Forest and they are expected to struggle again on Sunday.

Man City are hitting top form heading into the business end of the season and I don’t think they’ll slip up this weekend. I predict a comfortable home victory. Man City 3-0 Man Utd