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Saturday afternoon brings round 22 of the English Premier League season and the second Manchester Derby of the campaign. Man Utd hold home advantage at Old Trafford, but Man City aim to do the double after easing to victory back in September at the Etihad Stadium. Will this weekend's renewal bring repeat or revenge? Fans can't wait to find out.
Man Utd start the week down in seventh place. The locals are already 17 points behind pacesetters Arsenal and trail their guests by 11. A home win would catapult the Red Devils towards the prize places, reignite their challenge for a top-four finish and spot in next season's Champions League. An away win would put City within three points of Arsenal.
The leading betting apps offer an extensive list of pre-match markets. Armchair fans can predict the match-winner or play one of the many eye-catching specials. Choose from the total goals, handicap, first scorer, both teams to score, and more. Respected football betting writer Frank Monkhouse uses the data available at Flashscore to find his three best bets.
Man Utd v Man City tips
Over 2.5 goals @ 8/15 (bet365)
Man City or draw @ 2/7 (bet365)
Haaland to score first @ 11/4 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Total goals - over 2.5
Our first bet at the theatre of dreams on Derby Day is for Saturday's match to produce more than two goals from both teams combined. You'll find this one on the bet365 app under the total goals market. Click over 2.5 goals to add to your bet slip. The winning team and scorers aren't important here, with a 2-2 draw paying the same as a 5-0 away win.
The head-to-head stats on the Flashscore app show backing over 2.5 goals was a smart move when these teams last met. Man City won 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium back in September, taking less than 70 minutes to land the bet. Going back further, over 2.5 landed in two of the previous three derbies, and in eight of 10. That's strong enough for us.
Switching to recent form, Man Utd lost 2-1 when hosting Brighton in the FA Cup last Saturday. They also shared four goals with Burnley in their most recent Premier League match. That's encouraging, but what about Man City? The visitors hammered Exeter City 10-1 in the cup. I expect Pep's team to add a few more goals to their tally on Saturday.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 8/15 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need Saturday's Manchester Derby to produce more than two goals.
Double chance - Man City or draw
Moving to our second pick, and we're taking sides when backing Manchester City in the double chance market. If you choose to follow this prediction, you'll secure a profit if Manchester City avoid defeat. An away win is every bit as useful as a draw. The double chance covers two of the three possible outcomes from the match-winner betting.
Manchester City may be the visiting side, but they're higher in the league than their hosts. The visitors have also scored more goals, conceded fewer, and boast impressive recent form. Returning to the head-to-head, Man City or draw would've boosted your betting balance in each of the last two derbies, with City following a 0-0 draw with a 3-0 win.
Manchester United are unbeaten in their previous four Premier League starts, winning one and drawing three on the bounce. Taking six of the last dozen points available shows we shouldn't take United lightly, but the Red Devils are far from their best. Man City have also taken six of 12 points after finishing level in their last three Premier League starts.
Tip: Man City or draw @ 2/7 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Anything other than a home win will secure followers a profit.
First scorer - Haaland
Our third and final bet from Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon is for Erling Haaland to score the opening goal of the derby. It doesn't matter if the striker nets inside the opening 60 seconds of play or bundles home a winner with the last kick of the ball to snatch all three points. If Haaland's name is the first on the scoresheet, you'll bank a healthy profit.
Regular readers of my Premier League previews and predictions know how much I value the football stats available at Flashscore. Looking at the last time these neighbours went head-to-head, we see Haaland helped himself to a brace, netting in the 53rd and 68th minutes. Unfortunately, those goals came after Phil Foden had made it 1-0 with 18 on the clock.
Focusing on Haaland's recent form, we see he scored first against Brighton earlier this month, before the Seagulls levelled things up on the hour mark. Erling netted five goals in three games last month, scoring past Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League and London duo Crystal Palace and West Ham United in the Premier League.
Tip: Haaland to score first @ 11/4 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Erling Haaland must score the first goal of the Manchester derby.
Man Utd v Man City
Man City win @ 9/10 win (bet365)
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.