Manchester United vs Manchester City predictions: Derby spoils heading City's way
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- United are set for their lowest top-flight finish since 1990
- City are seeking a third victory on the bounce across all competitions
- Recommended bet: Manchester City to win
It has been a testing season for both Manchester United and Manchester City, but there will still be plenty on the line when they meet in the 196th Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Sunday.
United head into the game languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League standings and with very little to play for domestically, with their upcoming Europa League quarter-final tie against Lyon where their priorities lie.
City, meanwhile, have long since given up hope of defending their title, with their focus firmly on securing Champions League football for next season.
There was plenty of drama in December's reverse meeting at the Etihad Stadium, as late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo helped United come from behind to secure a 2-1 victory.
Team news
United's matchwinner against City in December, Diallo, remains out with an ankle injury and he is joined in the treatment room by Lisandro Martinez (knee), Jonny Evans (muscle), Kobbie Mainoo (calf) and Ayden Heaven (ankle).
Luke Shaw is back in training following his recent hamstring issue, but this game is expected to come too soon for the left-back, while after featuring from the bench in the midweek defeat at Nottingham Forest, both Harry Maguire and Mason Mount could be handed starts.
Erling Haaland continues to miss out for City with the ankle injury he picked up in last weekend's FA Cup win at Bournemouth.
Defensive trio Nathan Ake (foot), John Stones (thigh) and Manuel Akanji (adductor) also remain sidelined, as does key midfielder Rodri, who is not expected to return from his knee injury until the summer.
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The stats
United are set for their lowest-ever Premier League finish and they have lost more top-flight games at Old Trafford (seven) than they have won (six) this season.
Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at the City Ground was the Red Devils' 13th league loss of the campaign and they have won just four times in the top-flight since the turn of the year.
December's 2-1 win at City was a rare high point in United's season and they are unbeaten in their last three meetings with Pep Guardiola's side across all competitions in regulation time.
City have won back-to-back games against Bournemouth in the FA Cup and Leicester in the league – they have not triumphed in three matches on the spin since early January.
Guardiola's side did claim a 3-0 victory on their last visit to Old Trafford in October 2023 – the injured Haaland grabbing a brace in that game.
Of the 195 previous Manchester derbies, United have registered 80 wins to City's 62, while there have been 53 draws.
Prediction
Both these sides have endured seasons to forget by their own standards, but with four wins in their last six across all competitions, City should have enough about them to inflict more home woes on United.
Since Amorim's arrival at the club in November, United's only league wins at Old Trafford have come against relegation-bound Ipswich and Southampton, as well as an Everton team that were then struggling under Sean Dyche.
United's domestic season is now something of a write off and although they will be keen to claim the derby spoils, their priority has to be Thursday's Europa League clash with Lyon.
For City, they will be laser focused on securing a top-four finish to guarantee Champions League football for next season and even in the absence of Haaland, they should prove too strong for their near neighbours.
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