Manchester City v Manchester United preview

This weekend is the Manchester Derby. Usually this fixture produces good games with lots of goals and drama. It is even more intensified these days by the rivalry between Guardiola and Mourinho. Both teams won last night in the Champions League, with United beating Juventus late on 1-2 and City beating Shakhtar comprehensively 6-0 at home.

Manchester United started the season off quite poorly and there were even rumors that Mourinho was going to lose his job. However, since October their results have gotten better. Many of their recent matches they have gone down a goal and had to come back to win the game. This shows a lack of concentration, but it also shows the resilience and firepower the squad has. United currently are nine points behind city in the Premier League and if they lose on Sunday their title challenge will be over only three months into the season. However, if they can beat City at the Etihad then they will be six points behind them and right back in the mix.

Lukaku is a doubt for the match as he missed the last two matches. He has been training alone in a bid to try to make the squad for the weekend. Valencia is also unlikely to feature as he is not fully fit yet after his minor surgery.

Manchester City on the other hand have started the season just how they left off in last season. They currently are top of the Premier League two points ahead of Liverpool in second. So far this season they have not lost in the league and only drawn two matches. Nevertheless, City have not had the best record against United since Guardiola took over. In fact, in their last eight matches City have only won two, with United winning four, and two draws taking place. Guardiola will try to make sure that his team put this stat to bed.

Gundogan and Otamendi were back in the squad for the Champions League game and should be in the squad this weekend. De Bruyne and Claudio Bravo are both on the sidelines.

Key stats

• They have 42 times in the Premier League
• United winning 21, City 13, and eight draws.
• United were last team to beat City at home in the league
• Last match united came from two goals down to win the game 2-3

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