Is there really value on United?
A mouth-watering weekend of Premier League action could be topped off by the Manchester derby on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester United started the season in extremely concerning fashion, but a tightened up backline and four wins on the bounce in the league will give supporters reasons to feel optimistic upon arrival at the Etihad Stadium.
City under Pep Guardiola have continued to look, head and shoulders, the best team in the world, domestically, with Erling Haaland settling in very quickly at the top of the pitch.
The hosts are very strong favourites due to their immaculate process, and will likely continue to be for the remainder of the campaign, but United have the pace and quality to hurt them in transition, if the tactical fouling plan does not work out for the hosts.
Process
City have overperformed to score 23 goals from 17.1 expected goals (xG) for so far this season, that overperformance will likely regress in the coming weeks, but if the hosts are able to expose United’s frailties from the opening few weeks of the season, they could justify the heavy favourites tag.
City have conceded six goals from 5.3 xGA so far, a very healthy process of just 0.76 xGA per game so far.
The Red Devils have been able to pull off some memorable wins against their neighbours since Guardiola arrived in the dugout, and Erik ten Hag will convince many supporters that he is the person to take them forward, if they can take something back to Old Trafford on Sunday.
International football would have affected both sides considerably, but City have the stronger second string if heavy rotation is necessary.
It will be interesting to see how the table shapes up following the North London derby, with City potentially having the opportunity to rise to the summit in victory over their local rivals.
Goals?
An angle that I am happy to get involved with, the break could make this one closer than it is being priced up as.
City have scored in ten of ten.
City have conceded in five of ten.
City have seen both teams score in five of ten.
City have seen over 2.5 goals in eight of ten.
United have scored in six of eight.
United have conceded in five of eight.
United have seen both teams score in three of eight.
United have seen over 2.5 goals in four of eight.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
6-3 City, comfortable winner.