Manchester United were the last team to go into the Etihad and secure a victory in Premier League competition. That win, last April, prevented Manchester City from celebrating the title at home, directly in front of their bitter rivals. Of course, the result was moot in the long run as City would go on to win the Premier League title by a record margin, and set numerous other PL records in the process.
The defending champions enter Sunday’s Manchester Derby once again on top of the table, and once again looking like the overwhelming favorite to win it all. On the other side, United are brimming with confidence after having just won 2-1 at Juventus in Champions League play Wednesday night. Juve are the favorites to win that competition, so that victory was indeed huge.
Let’s take a look at who United boss Jose Mourinho could place in his first team, in a quest to achieve another monumental road triumph this week.
The Sports Bank MUFC Starting XI Prediction Manchester Derby (4-3-3)
Forwards: Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata
Midfielders: Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba
Defenders: Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, Chris Smalling, Antonio Valencia
Goalkeeper: David de Gea
Manchester Derby FYIs
City Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Manager Press Conference Videos, Quotes: Pep Guardiola- go to this link
Kickoff: Sunday, November 11, 4 pm local, Etihad Stadium
Injury Report for Both Teams: go to this link
Odds via Odds Shark: United 5/1 Draw 3/1 City 53/20
Prediction: City 1, United 1
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Lineups.com and Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.