Manchester City vs Manchester United Predictions

• City have conceded twice or more in nine of their previous 10 matches
• Amorim’s packed midfield is well-placed to cut through City
• Hojlund has scored five goals across his last four games

Tricky time for Manchester clubs

Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, Manchester United’s noisy neighbours have dominated this fixture. Even the Red Devils best moments – such as their FA Cup win in May – tend to go down as City underperforming.

However, the balance of power in Manchester has shifted, with Pep Guardiola’s side wilting. The champions have won just once in their last 10 games, while their rivals continue to suffer from internal issues. Dan Ashworth’s departure from Old Trafford temporarily lifted the heat off City, until a midweek loss to Juventus.

That’s left both sides desperate for a win this weekend, while the gap between them is shrinking.

United can exploit a familiar weakness

United’s struggles last season were largely pinned on the enormous gaps they left in central midfield. They were far too easy to play through, allowing them to concede far too many chances. Now the tables have turned, with City’s injury issues putting them in a similar position.

Ruben Amorim is a real departure from his predecessor, flooding the midfield with a 3-4-3 shape. Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford are playing as a more central pair behind Rasmus Hojlund, giving United a box four in the middle, with three defenders behind them and an in-form finisher ahead.

Amorim’s United are far from watertight, but they are at least starting to look threatening going forward. That should continue on Sunday against a City side who have conceded at least twice in nine of their last 10 matches.

Red Devils to cause problems

Amorim has plenty to prove after a mixed start, but his United side have scored at least twice in four of their last five, only failing to find the net at Arsenal.

Rasmus Hojlund has been a bright spot for the new boss, who has a huge squad overhaul ahead. Hojlund has scored five times across his last four outings, including a brace after coming off the bench at Viktoria Plzen in midweek.

Fernandes and Rashford also look more involved, so United should be the latest side to exploit City’s issues. Take them to score at least twice, with Hojlund a good bet in the anytime scorer market.