Manchester City (21 wins, 3 losses, 3 draws) hosts Manchester United (13-6-8) at Etihad Stadium Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. ET. Below, we preview the Manchester City vs. Manchester United odds and lines, and make our best EPL bets, picks and predictions.
First-place Manchester City is coming into this battle just 3 points ahead of Liverpool in the EPL table. Man City pitched a shutout in 3 of its last 4 games, losing to Tottenham for the second time this season as its lone less-than-desired defensive performance, giving up 3 goals to the Harry Kane-led side.
Man City should be at full strength for this battle. As for Man U, F Edinson Cavani is doubtful and M Mason Greenwood is out, per whoscored.com.
United will need some magic from star F Cristiano Ronaldo, but there are reports he might not play. United has scored 44 goals and allowed 34 in 27 games.
The last time these two teams took the pitch against each other, it was Man City winning 2-0. United, which hasn’t lost in league play since Jan. 3, seems primed to give Man City a run for its money.
Manchester City vs. Manchester United: Odds, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:04 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Manchester City -240 (bet $240 to win $100) | Manchester United +600 (bet $100 to win $600) | Draw +400
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -170 | U: +135)
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Prediction
Manchester City 2, Manchester United 0
Money line (ML)
PASS.
Man City (-240) is too expensive, especially considering it has won just two of the last four head-to-head matches. I wouldn’t consider the Draw (+400) or Man U (+600) playable sides either.
I would consider BOTH TEAMS NOT TO SCORE (-107) as a strong play. In the last six series matchups, there hasn’t been a single game in which both teams scored.
It will most likely be Man City’s league-best defense shutting down Man U. Considering Man City has shut out 3 of its last 4 opponents, this is a good value.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET UNDER 2.5 (+135).
It’s the far riskier side, but these prime-time matchups between top-four sides haven’t produced many goals. Also, the last six matchups between Man U and City have gone Under 2.5 goals.
United drew Chelsea 1-1, lost to City 2-0 and lost to Liverpool 5-0 (Man U had a red card handicap). Under 2.5 would’ve been 1-2 in those high-profile battles.
For City, it beat Chelsea 1-0 twice, United 2-0 and tied Liverpool 2-2. Given City’s defensive prowess, having allowed just 17 goals in 27 games, I expect fewer goals. City has gone Under 2.5 in 4 of its last 6 matches.
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