Prediction and odds for the game: Manchester City (9/20) vs Manchester United (6/1)

We are backing Manchester City half-time/full-time at odds of 5/4

When: Sunday, 7th March 2021, Kick-off 16:30

Where: The Etihad Stadium

On Sunday afternoon, Premier League leaders Manchester City host Manchester United in what could be a massive derby clash in the English top-flight.

Manchester City

The Citizens are without a doubt the best team in the Premier League this season. The fact that the league leaders are 14 points ahead of Sunday’s opponents illustrates just how consistent the home side has been in recent months.

Guardiola’s team goes into this local skirmish on a run of 15 straight league wins after a 4-1 hammering of Wolves at the Etihad Stadium last time out. The game saw the Citizens impress in front of goal once again in the English top-flight. The league’s top scorers have now scored at least two goals in six of their last seven outings in the Premier League.

One facet of City’s game that has remailed solid in recent years has been their home form. The Citizens are undefeated in their previous 12 league matches at the Etihad Stadium, recording an impressive ten wins. The aforementioned win over Wolves means that the home team has recorded seven straight league wins on home soil. Unsurprisingly, City have been prolific at the Etihad Stadium in the English top-flight, scoring at least twice in five of their last seven league matches on home soil.

Manchester United

A while ago, Manchester United looked likely genuine contenders for the Premier League title. However, a recent dip in form saw City breakaway and look unlikely to be caught this season. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team may well now be keeping an eye on the teams below them, as some of their rivals have picked up decent runs of form, including Chelsea in fourth place and fifth-place Everton, as the latter has now recorded three straight league wins without conceding a goal.

United’s recent poor run of form has seen them pick up just two victories from eight outings in the English top-flight. Their biggest problem of late has been too many draws, as five of their last seven matches have finished all-square.

Manchester United are undefeated in 21 matches on their travels in the Premier League. However, five of their last six away games have ended in draws, including their last four matches on the road.

One positive for United is that they have had the upper hand in meetings at the Etihad Stadium between these two teams, as the Red Devils have won on their last two trips to City. It would be a massive result if Solskjaer’s team can maintain that recent record.

Conclusion

It really is difficult to see anything other than a victory for Manchester City in this clash, as the Citizens are in such good form, while United have been poor of late. However, the home win doesn’t offer great odds. We are going to back one of our favourite bets, Manchester City to be winning at half-time/full-time. We are also taking a punt on Riyad Mahrez to be an anytime goalscorer, as the Algerian scored last time out and has looked a big threat to opposition teams in recent games.

Verdict: We are backing Manchester City half-time/full-time at odds of 5/4 and Riyad Mahrez to be an anytime goalscorer at odds of 13/8. (All odds are taken from Bet365).

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Will Manchester City continue their winning run against their bitter rivals?