Premier League Manchester United vs. Manchester City Soccer Favorites

Posted by Joe Solari on Friday,September 2, 2016 6:36, EDT in

Soccer News, Betting Tips, Picks & Previews

We are just three round in, but the new season is already heating up, as Week 4 of the English Premier League comes with a sizzling-hot gift in the form of the Manchester Derby. Yes, that’s right, Manchester United and Manchester City, two of the three teams with 100% percent winning records from the first three weeks of the EPL, will be locking horns at Old Trafford on September the 10th in a must-see encounter. And to ready you for the game and its soccer odds, we have an online betting preview succinctly prepared below.

Premier League Manchester United Vs Manchester City Soccer Favorites

When: Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016 7:30 AM ET
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
TV: NBCSN, NBC Sports
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live
Soccer Lines: City Win +210, United Win +130, Draw +235

Why Bet on Manchester City

As the league leaders in points (9) and total goals scored so far in the season (6), Manchester City is showing that it really means business this season under new head coach Pep Guardiola. The Citizens also have the league’s joint top-scorer in Sergio Aguero (3 goals), though the prolific marksman was pulled from the Argentina squad this week due to a calf injury and an FA ban is seemingly looming for him after his swing of the elbow in City’s 3-1 home victory against West Ham. If found guilty, Aguero could face a three-match ban, which would of course include missing the Derby, and that would be a bit of a setback for City’s offense. Even so, Raheem Sterling (who scored 2 goals vs. West Ham) and summer transfer Diego Nolito (2 goals, 1 assist this season) should be able to fill in just fine in the instance that Aguero is suspended. Plus, the Citizens have a solid midfield unit and a revamped backline that includes highly-prized summer signing Claudio Bravo, who is likely to make his debut in between the posts for City since being nabbed from Barcelona.

Why Bet on Manchester United

Head coach Jose Mourinho’s new tenure in Man United couldn’t have gotten to a better start, as his team has won all its three EPL games so far, including a hard-earned, last-gasp victory over Hull City in Week 3, thanks to United’s teenage sensation Marcus Rashford. The fact that new signings Zlatan Ibrahimovic (tied EPL top-scorer at 3 goals) and Paul Pogba are settling well in United’s attack while Eric Bailly continues to prove as a big bargain-buy is welcome news to United fans, who will be hoping for another strong show from these new additions. Meanwhile, the veterans like Captain Wayne Rooney (1 goal, 2 assists), David DeGea and Chris Smalling should continue to offer trusted services across the field. Add that to the home advantage that will be guaranteed for Manchester United, a win should be within strong realms of possibility for the new-look Red Devils.

Expert EPL Picks and Predictions

In spite of Man City owning a 6-1-3 head-to-head advantage over Man United in their last 10 overall meetings, the Red Devils have won two the last three overall meetings against the Citizens, including a 1-0 win in their lone meeting at Old Trafford last season. And the lone exception in the three games was a 0-0 draw at the Etihad Stadium last season. Combine that with the undeniable reality that United is a way much better unit than it was last year, it will take something really special for Man City to claim the win at Old Trafford. That said, the Citizens are the more organized team offensively and having Bravo and Co. in defense will make the Citizens really formidable, so an upset win by the visitors wouldn’t be far-fetched. All in all, I expect a dicey matchup with both teams giving their all in highly-likely draw result.