The Premier League is back after a brief International break and what a way for it to return. The Manchester Derby awaits, as City host United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. This fixture has all the ingredients to be an absolute classic, with all the world class talent on show! In terms of current form, well, the champions have been in superb form of late. They remain unbeaten in the Premier League, winning 5 and drawing 2 in the process. The bookmakers have them priced up at 1/3 to go on and lift the PL trophy once more, and the writing looks on the wall for the challengers already!
The goals have been flowing at the Etihad for the home side, in the last 7 matches in the league; they have managed to score at least 3 goals on each occasion. With Erling Haaland the man in such magical form, it could be difficult for United to combat a City onslaught. Not only the goals have been going in at such a high rate but the positive results have too. It’s now 9 wins on the trot at home for the Citizens and with Pep’s side firing on all cylinders in this moment, there’s every chance this may well continue.
In contrary, United seem to have turned a corner themselves, after the humbling 4-0 defeat to Brentford back in August. The Red Devils bounced back with 4 wins in a row, 2 of which came against Liverpool and Arsenal. I feel this encouraging run may well boost the chances of collecting some points from this particular fixture. With 3 clean sheets on the spin away from home and the fact they have scored at least once in their last 6 trips to the Etihad. Confidence will be boosted ahead of kick off, even though United are set to be on the back foot throughout this encounter. Jadon Sancho and Antony may provide the answer in front of goal, both of whom have been on the scoresheet this season. The counter attacking style Ten Hag is likely to adopt, could well suit the pacy wingers of Manchester United, who can provide an attacking output within this game.
I personally believe this derby match is a lot tougher to call than what the odds suggest. City are currently the 1/3 hot favourites to win this one. Derby matches often bring an unpredictable element to them with so much on the line for either side. I’ve taken a deep dive into the statistics and have some player shot recommendations for you, to help put together a solid bet builder!
Man City v Man United Hot Shot Tips
Erling Haaland to have 2+ Shots on Target
The towering Norwegian striker has been on fire since the move from Borussia Dortmund. In the 7 games in the PL, he has scored 11 goals, a sublime record. If this can be sustained throughout the campaign, it’s hard to see anyone being able to stop the powerhouse in attack. So, there has only been one match in the league in which Haaland has not manage to score in, that was in the match at home to Bournemouth. For such a young player, he seems to be the finished article in all aspects of his game. Whether it’s aerial duels, shots from distance or even tap ins, the lethal striker is near impossible to stop. The shooting form has been nothing short of sensational; his recent numbers are seriously eye opening. His recent shot on target count reads 2,3,3,3,3 – that’s 14 in just 5 games, an average of 2.8 SoT’s per 90mins.
I believe that the way in which City set up in a 4-3-3 formation with Haaland the focal point in attack, this really plays into our hands. As a central lone striker, we can see the shot numbers at least being very similar to previous weeks. What works well for us here, is that with 1 striker through the middle, rather than 2, more of the ball is set to come his way. In turn, this can lead to numerous opportunities for shots on target to be had by the big man!
He’s set to park himself on the Argentinian, Lisandro Martinez, in an attempt to bully the United centre back. There’s a fair difference in stature between the pair and this will be a great battle to see as a neutral. My overriding feeling is that the striker is capable of doing the business just as he has proven in all Premier League outings so far. They did face off against each other in the Champions League last season at their previous clubs, Ajax and Dortmund.
I’m confident of landing this selection in the bet builder as we’re taking possibly the best centre forward in the game to have 2+ Shots on target!
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Prediction: Erling Haaland to have 2+ Shots on Target
Bruno Fernandes to have 1+ Shots on Target
The Portuguese attacking midfielder is set to start from the off in the Manchester derby. He’s had his shooting boots on of late and the formbook reads well for this pick. In the last 4 United league games, Bruno has had 4 SoT’s in total, reaching this particular line in 3 of those. This is part of the reasoning for taking the bet here. I believe the away side may well end up spending a lot of time of the back foot against City but will look to spring forward on the counter attack any time an opportunity arises. We can expect Bruno to be one of the players in attack who can release an effort on goal in these situations. It’s predicted that he may well play alongside Scott Mctominay and Christian Eriksen in a midfield trio, so, again this will give him license to bomb on in attack. The latter are more likely to stand off and play slightly more defensive roles.
Free kicks and long distance efforts are a couple of other ways in which we can see Bruno hit a shot on target. The free kicks have been shared out throughout the season but the Portuguese star is often involved, especially when in range of an effort on goal. This could possibly be one way in which we can see the 1+ SoT attained. However, I believe that a long range effort from open play is our best bet to see the SoT home. Any particular passage of play in attack for United that provides a shooting opportunity, it’s highly likely he’ll let the trigger go. Chances to shoot on goal may not come around so often within the 90 minutes and when in range outside the box, the Portuguese playmaker can hit one that can trouble Ederson in goal.
At the price of 10/11, this seems a real value play and with the recent SoT numbers on the up for Bruno, there’s every chance this can return a winner.
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Prediction: Bruno Fernandes to have 1+ Shots on Target
Ruben Dias to have 1+ Shots
Manchester City have been racking up the corners in their home matches this season. I see these set piece situations as the best way to see the Portuguese centre back taking a shot. Thankfully this does not even need to be on target, just by winning an aerial duel in the opponent’s box can see the 1+ shot obtained. At this moment in time, the Citizens are averaging 9 corners exactly in their home league matches. In theory, if they can reach a similar amount of corners, then there’s a strong possibility Ruben Dias can take a shot. His current shooting record in his last 4 matches in all competitions is strong. He’s managed 5 in total in this period but is worth noting some of these came for the national team just last week. Nonetheless, this proves his ability to get shots off which is exactly what we’re after in relation to the bet! City possesses possibly one of the best set piece takers in the world, in Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian can always provide world class deliveries into the area and we’ve got to hope Dias can be on the end of one of them once more.
In the entirety of the the 21/22 campaign, Dias hit 18 shots in 29 matches last season. This equates to an average of 0.62 shots per game. These numbers put up by the Portuguese defender are quite impressive and with the odds of 10/11 on offer, I feel adding Dias to have a shot gives us excellent value in the bet builder.
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Prediction: Ruben Dias to have 1+ Shots
Written by an Andy verified content writer
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How to watch Manchester City v Manchester United in the UEFA Nations League
📅 When is Manchester City v Manchester United? / Sunday 2nd October 2022, 2:00PM
🏟 Where is Manchester City v Manchester United? / Etihad Stadium (Manchester)
📺 What TV channel is Manchester City v Manchester United on? / Sky Sports Main Event & PL
🟨 …And who is the referee for Manchester City v Manchester United? / Michael Oliver 🏴
