Saturday brings the Manchester Derby, Old Trafford edition, a date that is always circled on the calendar. Over the recent years, City has obviously had a much more successful run of form than United, as they have won more silverware, and the trophies they have won are bigger.
Yet, during this span, this rivalry has been very close in the terms of the results. So much so that even the goal differential is very tight. Such is the nature of derby games.
Manchester Derby FYIs
Kickoff: Nov 6, 12:30pm, Old Trafford
Weekly Premier League Preview Podcast: go here
Starting XI Predictions: go here
Odds: United (+350) | City (-143) | Draw (+290)
Table Position: United 5th, 17pts City 3rd, 20 pts
Team News for Both Sides
For City, Ferran Torres and Liam Delap remain out as long term injury absentees. Meanwhile Benjamin Mendy remains in prison having been charged with the very heinous crime of rape.
For United, central defender Raphael Varane has suffered an injury set back against Atalanta and will be out for another month now. Considering he only lasted a match-and-a-half, maybe, just maybe, he came back too soon.
Meanwhile Paul Pogba will serve the second of his three match suspension here while center back Victor Lindelof is a doubt.
Prediction: United 2, City 1
For some reason, this really feels like yet another time when Solskjaer will get it done, do just enough, and that will help him keep his job, at least for another week or two.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Bank (TheSportsBank.Net) and author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” as well as “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He has regularly appeared in WGN, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune, and co-hosts the After Extra Time podcast. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.