Manchester City v Manchester United
Thursday, 20:00
Live On Sky Sports 1


Manchester City

City's loss to Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday has left them with nothing left to play for apart from securing a place in the top four. It's fair to say that it would be nothing short of a disaster if they failed.

Currently fourth but just two points behind a Liverpool side on which they have two games in hand, Pep Guardiola's team look well positioned to clinch a Champions League place. Their run-in certainly looks favourable, featuring plenty of the relegation threatened and mid-table teams that City tend to beat with regularity.

But before that comes Manchester United and they are the type of side that City are struggling to beat right now. Of City's last six games, four have been against teams currently in the top seven of the Premier League. They have drawn two and lost two, with the last occasion that City beat a top seven team coming way back in December of 2016, when they defeated Arsenal 2-1.

Guardiola is sweating over the fitness of forwards Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus. Fernandinho, David Silva and John Stones are also doubts and could join the injured Ilkay Gundogan and Bacary Sagna on the sidelines.


Manchester United

Manchester United have often wasted chances to gain ground on the top four this season, but they made no such mistake at the weekend, winning 2-0 at Burnley.

Jose Mourinho now has both Manchester City and Liverpool in his sights, though there is still much work to do if they are to gatecrash the top four. United have some very tough fixtures remaining, with all four of their away games coming against teams in the top nine - City, Arsenal, Spursand Southampton.

As if that's not bad enough, they also have to squeeze in two legs of the Europa League semi-final against Celta Vigo. Fatigue could ultimately prove to be United's biggest opponent in the closing weeks of the season, with their arduous campaign already taking it's toll in terms of injuries.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Juan Mata and Marcos Rojo are all out for the season, while Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have been missing for some time. Paul Pogba is also a doubt, having been substituted against Burnley with a knock.


Ref Watch

Martin Atkinson will officiate. The calm referee showed four yellow cards in the FA Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Spurs on Saturday and has only sent off two players all season.


Match Odds

Manchester City are the 1.96 favourites, with the draw at3.80 and Manchester United at 4.40.

Considering City's poor record against top clubs and the fact that United come into this on a 23-match unbeaten run in the league, it's hard to see why the home side are such heavy favourites.

The draw looks a big price. No team has drawn more than United this season (12), while City have drawn six times at home, which is the second highest amount in the top flight.


Over/Under 2.5 Goals

Over 2.5 goals is the favourite at 1.86, with unders at 2.12.

Four of City's last five games have seen over 2.5 goals, but United are well able to sit back and make life tough for them. A better bet is the 1.75 for Both Teams To Score, with City keeping only one clean sheet in their last seven games.


To Score

Aguero is the favourite at 2.18 and if he plays it's a good price for a player that has scored in each of his last six games.

Marcus Rashford leads the betting for Manchester United at 3.70. Other players to consider are Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who have both been among the goals in recent games and can be backed at [4.75].


Recommended Bets


Back the draw at 3.80
Back both teams to score at 1.75
Back Aguero to score at 2.18



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