Man City vs Man Utd: Preview
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The Manchester derby delivered some real drama last time around and Mourinho will be hoping United can once again get the better of City.
United have been something of a bogey team for City despite the contrasting fortunes of the two clubs in recent years, with the blue half of Manchester winning just two of the last eight meetings across all competitions.
Since they lost last time to United, City have been a real powerhouse at home, taking 25 points from a possible 27 and scoring 32 goals while conceding four. It was no different against Shakhtar, who got hammered 6-0 during their Champions League clash.
Even with the good form of Chelsea and Liverpool - both of whom have dropped just six points so far - City continue to set the pace and go into the weekend sitting two points clear of the chasing pack at the top of the table.
Those behind them may have improved this season, but worryingly for the rest of the league it also appears as though City themselves could be even more dangerous than the record-breaking centurions of 2017-18.
Even without Kevin de Bruyne, both Bernardo and David Silva are producing the goods and they look extremely powerfull in every line of play, with Kun Aguero being especilly prolific of late.
United have come from behind to win points in four of their last six games across all competitions, with three of those occasions seeing them steal victory with a goal in the 90th minute or later - the return of 'Fergie Time'.
Beneath the spirited comebacks which appear to have silenced suggestions that Jose Mourinho had lost the dressing room are deeper concerns too, and even the manager has admitted that he does not know why his team are such slow starters in matches at the moment. Their defensive play just seems very lacking in almost every game.
The Red Devils have only kept one clean sheet in the league this season and have conceded 18 times in their 11 games - a tally it took them 25 matches to reach last term. Should they concede more than two goals on Sunday then it would be their worst start to a season defensively since 1966.
Manchester City and Manchester United Betting Odds and Predictions
United have big problems at centre back and have just played a psychally and emotionally exhausting game against Juventus. If United start like they usually do, then the game will be over inside 15 minutes. It wouldn't be a surprise if City win this 5-0, but this is Jose Mourinho, who always turns up in the big games.
Editor's Pick
City is going to win this one, and quite comfortably.
