Manchester United vs Manchester City Betting Pick | English Premier

English Premier

2011-10-23 - Manchester United vs Manchester City

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

Manchester United v Manchester City
Football : English Premier League
Sunday 23 October 2011 - Kickoff 1:30pm
This game is live on TV

Manchester United

This is a huge test for Manchester United who have not been looking as secure as the early moments of the season and they will come into the Manchester Derby looking UP at their neighbours. Sir Alex Ferguson has accepted City are a genuine threat in the Premier League this season, but now has a chance to put down a marker against Roberto Mancini's men.

United dropped down to 2nd in the Premier League last weekend, having earned a decent 1-1 draw at Anfield against Liverpool. The Red Devils have a chance to extend their strong home record in the Premier League as they go in search of their 5th straight win at Old Trafford, having scored 16 goals and conceding 3 in the last 4 games there.

The drop in form can be seen from the recent results where United have won 4 and drawn 4 of their last 8 games. The team have been strong at home, especially when it comes to attacking as they have scored at least 2 goals in all 5 games played in front of their fans this season. In fact, they have scored 2 or more goals in 8 consecutive games at home.

There are no new injury concerns for Sir Alex Ferguson to worry about following a 0-2 win in Romania on Tuesday night. The likes of David de Gea, Rio Ferdinand, Darren Fletcher, Ashley Young and Danny Welbeck will all be hoping to play on Sunday having been moved out of the side on Tuesday night.

Manchester City

Roberto Mancini was absolutely delighted with the last minute Sergio Aguero goal on Tuesday night that helped his Manchester City side earn their first 3 points in the Champions League and reignited their ambitions to qualify from the Group. Life has not been that difficult in the Premier League for the Citizens so far.

Some might be surprised, but Manchester City come into this game as the table toppers, opening up a 2 point lead from United after a 4-1 home win over Aston Villa last week. City have a 3-1-0 record away from home this season, scoring 14 goals and conceding 5, making them the top away scorers in the League so far.

City have won 5 of their last 6 games in all competitions, the sole exception being the 2-0 loss at Bayern Munich that was overshadowed by Carlos Tevez. Only 1 of those wins have come away from home when they beat Blackburn 0-4 at Ewood Park recently, although that is their only win in their last 3 away games in all competitions. City have only picked up 1 clean sheet in 5 away games this season.

Micah Richards should be available for selection after missing the win over Villarreal. Carlos Tevez remains unavailable for selection, while Sergio Aguero should be back in the starting line up after scoring during the week.

Head to Head

Manchester United have won their last 4 home games against Manchester City in all competitions, including a 2-1 win in the League game last season.

Unlike the games at the City of Manchester Stadium (or the Etihad Stadium as it is now known), the games at Old Trafford have generally been a little more free-flowing.

5 of the last 6 games at Old Trafford have seen 3 or more goals scored between the sides.

Prediction

I honestly would not want to get involved in a winner from this game as I think you can make an argument for both sides to get something out of this game.

Manchester United have an imperious record at Old Trafford, but they looked a little vulnerable in the last couple of games there and that is down to the fact that the team is expected to attack at home and that leaves gaps at the back.

Manchester City have looked very good in the Premier League, scoring goals for fun, but they too have looked a little vulnerable at the back away from home, although outscoring teams is something they seem happy to do.

This just leads me to believing the 'Over 2.5 Goals' option is the best way to get on this game, a winner so often in recent games between the teams at this ground, and I am just about interested at the prices that are still available.

With both sides likely to get a goal apiece, I can see a winner in the contest and that should take the game over the 2.5 goals mark.

The Statistics :

MAN_UTD LAST SIX HOME FORM
	DATE	RESULT		OPPOSITION
	2011-10-01	W	2-0	H v Norwich
	2011-09-18	W	3-1	H v Chelsea
	2011-08-28	W	8-2	H v Arsenal
	2011-08-22	W	3-0	H v Tottenham
	2011-05-22	W	4-2	H v Blackpool
	2011-05-08	W	2-1	H v Chelsea

MAN_CITY LAST SIX AWAY FORM
	DATE	RESULT		OPPOSITION
	2011-10-01	W	0-4	A v Blackburn
	2011-09-18	D	2-2	A v Fulham
	2011-08-28	W	1-5	A v Tottenham
	2011-08-21	W	2-3	A v Bolton
	2011-05-22	W	0-2	A v Bolton
	2011-05-07	L	2-1	A v Everton

HEAD TO HEAD MAN_UTD v MAN_CITY
DATE	HOME	SCORE	AWAY
2011-02-12	Man_Utd	2-1	Man_City
2009-09-20	Man_Utd	4-3	Man_City
2009-05-10	Man_Utd	2-0	Man_City
2008-02-10	Man_Utd	1-2	Man_City
2006-12-09	Man_Utd	3-1	Man_City
2005-09-10	Man_Utd	1-1	Man_City