Home of football statistics and historyManchester City
vs Manchester United
EFL Cup 2019/20
29th January, 19:45pm BST
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Manchester City vs Manchester United Preview
The third Manchester derby of the season on Wednesday night will decide one of the 2019-20 EFL Cup finalists.
Manchester City are set to host their rivals with a 3-1 lead from the first leg at Old Trafford three weeks ago.
Pep Guardiola’s side dismantled Manchester United in the first half of that tie, going into the break 3-0 before Marcus Rashford’s goal in the second half gave the Red Devils something of a lifeline.
With the Premier League title out of sight, Manchester City will be keen to win some silverware this season, hence the strong team that faced Fulham in the FA Cup over the weekend. Expect an even stronger team on Wednesday to ensure they progress to the final.
Manchester United’s 6-0 thrashing of Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup on Sunday was their most impressive performance of the season, particularly given the conditions, but it came against a side battling for survival in League One.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did mastermind a 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League back in December but they require a two-goal margin of victory this week just to force extra-time.
Manchester United will need to go all out in this game whilst leaving themselves susceptible at the back. Both teams have scored in both meetings this season, making the 41/50 odds on both teams to score this week an attractive price. You can make that bet risk free with a Unibet sign up offer 2020. Neither side have an impressive defence so we could be in for an exciting second leg.
Manchester City vs Manchester United Team News
Joao Cancelo picked up a serious-looking injury in the FA Cup over the weekend so we wouldn’t expect the Portuguese international to start this one. Regular right-back Kyle Walker is likely to come back in his place.
Otherwise, Pep Guardiola has the rest of his squad available to him, with the exception of Leroy Sane, who has been sidelined all season anyway.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be without defenders Marcos Rojo and Axel Tuanzebe through injury, but neither would have expected to play anyway. Ashley Young left to join Internazionale on an initial loan deal earlier this month.
Scott McTominay is sidelined for a while, so Nemnja Matic has been back alongside Fred in recent weeks. Paul Pogba’s status is unknown but I wouldn’t expect him to return for this game.
Marcus Rashford’s back injury is going to keep him out for a couple of months which is the final nail in the coffin on Manchester United’s hopes of causing a big upset in this one.
Predicted Manchester City Starting Lineup (4-3-3): Claudio Bravo; Kyle Walker, Fernandinho, Nicolas Otamendi, Benjamin Mendy; Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne; Riyad Mahrez, Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling
Predicted Manchester United Lineup (4-1-4-1): David de Gea; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Brandon Williams; Nemanja Matic, Fred; Mason Greenwood, Jesse Lingard, Daniel James; Anthony Martial
Manchester City vs Manchester United Key Stats
9 – Sergio Aguero has scored nine goals in 14 previous meetings against Manchester United.
13 – Manchester City have scored 13 goals in their last six matches versus Manchester United.
16 – Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 16 EFL Cup matches, since losing 1-0 to Manchester United in October 2016.
Manchester City vs Manchester United Prediction
Manchester City have a huge advantage heading into the second leg following their 3-1 win away from home in the first leg. I simply don’t give Manchester United a prayer in this tie.
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