Manchester City vs Manchester United Match Analysis and Prediction

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Premier League Matchday 28 ends in style league leaders Manchester City welcome top-four prospects Manchester United to Etihad for a crucial Manchester derby on Sunday night with kickoff at 19:30.

The champions, Manchester City needed a huge late controversial VAR call to avoid dropping more points at Everton last weekend after suffering a 3-2 defeat to Tottenham the week before. The win allowed them to go six points above Liverpool in the title race although the Reds have played one match less.

City have certainly mastered the art of winning ugly on a couple of time, however they comfortably strolled to a 2-0 victory against Peterborough United in the fifth round of the FA Cup earlier this week, with goals from Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish booking them a place in the quarter-final against Southampton.

Pep Guardiola’s side have now lost just one of their last 16 matches across all competitions, although they haven’t been looking as slick as they were earlier in the season and Guardiola will need no reminding of the importance of the game as they come up against a desperate Manchester United.

Indeed Manchester United head into the match desperate for points in their bid for a top-four finish. However, despite losing just two of their last 20 matches across all competitions Manchester United continue to look far from convincing.

They are coming off a disappointing 0-0 draw against a lowly Watford at Old Trafford last weekend. The draw did not help United’s top-four prospects as the chasing pack have now closed in. They sit fourth with just two points above both West Ham and Arsenal, but the Gunners have three matches in hand.

Therefore Ralph Rangnick will be aware of the importance of the three points in this match, but with their recent struggles on the pitch it will challenging for them to overcome the Citizens at Etihad. Although the Red Devils are no stranger to turning up the heat at the Etihad and have won four of their last five in all competitions on their rivals’ turf and thus should not be ruled out completely.

Man City vs Man United head to head

Both sides have met in 58 encounters since 1993 with Man United claiming 30 victories while City have claimed 20 victories and there have been eight draws.