When the two biggest clubs in Manchester, City and United, meet at the Etihad this Sunday, it will be for nothing more than just some 3 potentially title-defining points, glory and bragging rights over a long derby rival.
The home team, Manchester City, just a single point behind EPL leaders, Liverpool, will be going into this one with the singular goal of not extending that point difference to anything more than the one it is now.
The visitors, Manchester United, still seem to have it all to do for a top-four finish this season in the league 8 points behind 4th-placed Aston Villa, but they will choose to be optimistic and fight for as long as they can to try to make UEFA elite competition next season.
Manchester City & Pep are on a “Let’s Destroy United” Pill
For some reason unknown to many, Manchester City seem to have put Manchester United on their “no mercy” list, making sure they not only get the best of their city rivals but destroy them while at it.
This “anti-United” crusade of Pep Guardiola’s side for the Red Devils becomes very apparent when one looks at the recent results between the two clubs where there have been no draws in the previous 6 clashes, with City winning 5 of them with 4 being by more than 2 goals.
While one can argue that the recent head-to-head results alone might not be enough evidence to make such a claim, the fact that of all the other top 6 clubs in the EPL, City have drawn Liverpool, Spurs, and Chelsea (twice), and lost to Arsenal, but for some reason, beat United 3-0.
That 3-0 thrashing of Manchester United in the first meeting between the sides this season stands out when one analyses all of Manchester City’s EPL games this season against top six oppositions and that coupled with their H2H, screams “Let’s not spare Man. United”.
United’s Strangely Great Away Form, the Only Good News
The only good news anyhow one looks at it for Erik Ten Hag’s men heading into this gargantuan game is their newly found form away from home, which has seen them win six consecutive away games in all competitions at the moment.
For the same period that 6-game winning streak is even better than City’s home form as the Citizen Blues have won 5 and drawn 1 of their last 6 home games.
However if one considers the entire season under review, the ruse starts to be seen through for United, as it then becomes clear that City have a flawless home record with an unbeaten record in all 17 of their home games this season in all games.
United will want to stick only to their last 6 games and that should be enough for them to gather some inspiration and courage heading into this one, but if their manager is to be believed then they don’t need courage against an opponent they are not afraid of.
Match Stats
- City are ranked 3rd in goals scored per match (2.3 goals) while United are ranked 12th in goals scored per match (1.4 goals).
- Manchester City's most recent record of 40 consecutive home games in all competitions consists of no losses while Manchester United haven't lost in 8 of their last 9 games in all competitions.
- Manchester City has had a period of 52 straight home all competitions clashes in all of which they have scored 1 or more goals while Manchester United have scored 1+ goals in all of their last 11 all competitions games.
- A streak of unfortunate defence displays where Manchester City have conceded at least 1 goal makes up their last 8 matches against Manchester United in all competitions.
- In Manchester United's 8 most recent Premier League matches, there have been over 2.5 goals scored just as there have been in all their last 5 games versus City.
- No fixture in Premier League history has seen more away wins than Man City vs Man Utd (22, level with Aston Villa v Liverpool).
You can check out the Man. City vs Man. United EPL game on MSport here:
https://www.msport.com/ng/web/sports/Soccer/England_Premier_League/Man_City_vs_Man_Utd/sr:match:41763375?k=Man%20City?EMA
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