Evening Standard
·13 de diciembre de 2024
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·13 de diciembre de 2024
Ruben Amorim’s first Manchester derby takes centre stage in the Premier League this weekend
Manchester City host Manchester United in the first Manchester derby of the season in the Premier League on Sunday.
After a shocking seven-match winless run that included four top-flight losses in a row, City finally seemed to have gotten back on track with a morale-boosting 3-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest at the beginning of the month.
Though it seems that result was a false dawn as it’s now just one victory in 10 games for Pep Guardiola’s side after drawing away at Crystal Palace and losing to Juventus in the Champions League in the past week.
As for Manchester United, they made it three Europa League wins in a row after coming from behind to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in the Czech Republic on Thursday evening. However, they’ve lost their last two games in the Premier League against Arsenal and Forest.
While this will be new manager Ruben Amorim’s first taste of a Manchester derby, he does hold a commanding victory over Guardiola already this season as last month he masterminded a stunning 4-1 win for Sporting CP over City.
This weekend’s Manchester derby is scheduled for a 4:30pm GMT kick-off on Sunday December 15, 2024.
The match will take place at the Etihad Stadium.
TV channel: The game will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Coverage starts at 4pm GMT, after a clash between rivals Brighton and Crystal Palace at the Amex Stadium kicks off Super Sunday.
Live stream: The Sky Go app will offer Sky Sports subscribers a live stream service online.
Free highlights: In the UK, Match of the Day 2 broadcasts on BBC One at 10:30pm GMT on Sunday night.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
The hosts will be without Rico Lewis because of suspension after he was sent off for two bookable offences in the draw with Crystal Palace last weekend.
His absence comes at the worst possible time for City, who are dealing with an injury crisis in central defence with John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake all likely to miss the derby. Rodri and Oscar Bobb are long-term absentees, meanwhile.
United are not believed to have any fresh injury concerns following their win over Viktoria Plzen, with Luke Shaw potentially the only absentee given that Jonny Evans has now returned to training at Carrington alongside Victor Lindelof and Toby Collyer.
Setback: Manchester United defender Luke Shaw will miss Sunday’s derby clash with City
Manchester United via Getty Images
It’s often said that the form book goes out of the window for a derby game. That was evident in last season’s FA Cup final as United surprised many by leaving Wembley with the trophy.
The issue is that neither side is in particularly great form at the moment, but Amorim’s win over Guardiola earlier in the campaign could be key as United have the players to hit City where it hurts.
Manchester United to win, 2-1.
Manchester City wins: 56
Draws: 48
Manchester United wins: 67
Manchester City to win: 4/7
Draw: 18/5
Manchester United to win: 4/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
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