Manchester City vs. Manchester United Prediction: Local Rivals Lock Horns

• Manchester City are struggling for form at the start of the Premier League season

• Manchester United have also encountered a few problems so far in 2025/26

• Which way will the first Manchester derby of the campaign go on Sunday?

Manchester City vs. Manchester United Odds

The odds for Manchester City vs. Manchester United can be found in the odds table below, courtesy of bet365 sportsbook. Sign up for a bet365 account with our promo code WSN365 and claim the welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose.

My +115 Pick for Manchester City vs. Manchester United 

Choose Manchester United or draw in the double chance market. The Red Devils are the underdogs, but they can get something from this game.

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Manchester City Still Not Clicking as Gap to Top Spot Widens

Manchester City began the season by easing to a 4-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. On that afternoon at least, it looked like City were back to their best after an off-year in 2024/25. However, events since then suggest there is still significant work to do before Pep Guardiola’s side are in a position to challenge for the Premier League title again.

City’s second outing of the season saw them lose 2-0 at home to Tottenham Hotspur. Then, immediately prior to the recent international break, they watched Brighton & Hove Albion come from 1-0 down to beat them 2-1 at the Amex Stadium. That result has left City six points shy of the summit of the standings already.

With 50 minutes on the clock against Brighton, it was hard to see anything other than a City win. They had been the dominant team up until that point, creating chances at one end and giving away little at the other. Then everything changed. Brighton forced their way back into the match and leveled things up via a James Milner penalty, before Brajan Gruda struck a late winner.

It was no less than Brighton deserved. City faded alarmingly as the game wore on, leaving Guardiola frustrated on the touchline. The Catalan no doubt hoped his team would be able to compete right at the top of the division this term, but the early signs in that regard are far from positive.

“We played brilliantly the first hour but conceded a goal and then forgot to continue playing,” said Guardiola. “We decided to play long but we were not good enough. Sometimes the momentum changes the shapes. I used to be a player. I understand this.”

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Manchester United Face Big Few Months Under Ruben Amorim

It was an eventful August at Manchester United. After losing 1-0 to Arsenal on the opening weekend, United were held to a 1-1 draw with Fulham. Then came the ignominy of a penalty shoot-out loss to Grimsby Town of the fourth tier in the EFL Cup second round. It was the most damaging defeat of the Ruben Amorim era so far.

United desperately needed a response a few days later - and they just about got one. A late Bruno Fernandes penalty at Old Trafford earned them a 3-2 triumph over Burnley in their final game before the September internationals. It was a vital win and one which Amorim will hope proves to be a turning point.

Having been in charge for almost a year, Amorim must start to give United fans something to cheer about soon. He has overseen 30 Premier League games - almost a full season - and got 31 points. That is only slightly better than relegation form. True, Amorim inherited a difficult situation. But he has yet to show that he is capable of making this team better.

The biggest issue right now is his stubborn refusal to countenance an alternative formation. Amorim insists he will continue to use the 3-4-2-1 shape that he believes in, yet the jury is still out on whether it can work with this group of players. A lack of adaptability is not a virtue and Amorim must be more flexible going forward.

There are still issues with the roster too, namely in central midfield. United do have quality available to them, but it is up to their head coach to produce a coherent collective. If Amorim is unable to do that, the clock will start ticking on his job as United manager.

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Manchester City Could Be In for Another Frustrating Afternoon

When Manchester United came from behind to beat Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium last December, it was held up as a result that could kick-start Amorim’s tenure. Yet it proved to be a false dawn: United lost their next three games and ultimately finished 15th, two places lower than they were after that success against their rivals.

There is no debate over which of these two clubs has been more successful over the last decade. Curiously, though, United have a decent recent record at the Etihad even while City have been generally superior. Since March 2016, the Red Devils have won six out of 11 trips across Manchester. 

While they will not necessarily come out on top this weekend, it is worth backing United to get something from the game. This is where the double chance market comes into its own. With our recommended +115 bet, either a draw or an away win would be enough to pay out.

This is arguably the sort of game that suits United best. They do not have to play on the front foot or take control. They can focus on defending with discipline and organisation, and breaking forward at speed when control of the ball changes hands. 

City’s losses to Tottenham and Brighton proved that they remain a work in progress. United can take advantage of that state of flux when the Premier League returns this weekend.

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How to Watch Manchester City vs. Manchester United

• Teams: Manchester City vs. Manchester United

• Location: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England.

• Date and Time: Sunday 14 September, 11.30 AM ET

• How to Watch: Peacock Premium