EFL Cup: Manchester United vs. Manchester City Preview, Odds, Prediction

Manchester United hosts Manchester City some three weeks after their last clash, but this time, the two powerhouses meet in the Carabao Cup semis. Both clubs from Manchester are playing well over the recent several weeks. United has a chance to snatch the top of the English Premier League from Liverpool, while City slowly erases the deficit between them and the No.1 place.

Preview

Manchester United (+260) hasn’t lost in the last seven contests, posting five victories and two draws, scoring twice in all but two games. Very impressive, for a team that was considered devastated less than a month ago.

Now, the opponents during this stretch weren’t naive at all, City, Leeds, Everton, Leicester, Wolves, Aston Villa. After losing to RB Leipzig, Solskjaer managed to find some formula to recover his squad, who, despite not playing very attractive, records solid results.

Bruno Fernandes is giving the rhythm in the midfield, with the Portuguese organizing the game, setting up chances, and scoring all at once. Right now, Paul Pogba could leave United, and their game wouldn’t suffer any consequences.

Manchester City (-105) rolled over Chelsea on Sunday, scoring three times in 35 minutes, but eventually slowing down and allowing the Blues an honorable defeat, 1-3. If they kept on pounding at the same pace, Chelsea would have experienced one of the nastiest home losses in the last 20 years.

It was the 11th consecutive match for the Citizens that they haven’t lost (8W, 3D). City kept its net intact seven times throughout this period, and all but four games were under 2.5 goals.

Overall, they play well on the road since the campaign began, having just one defeat against Tottenham. In the remaining 12 games, Guardiola’s unit has 66% of wins, 8 with four draws.

Latest News

Edinson Cavani is suspended for United, while Phil Jones, Victor Lindelof, and Marcus Rojo all have various injuries.

Ederson, Gabriel Jesus, and Kyle Walker have COVID-19, while Aymeric Laport injured his thigh and is unavailable for the game.

Head to Head Games

There have been 183 games between the two rivals so far. United is much better with 76 wins, while City has 54. A draw has been seen on 53 occasions.

United and City played four times during the last year, and the Red Devils have a slightly better record, two wins, one draw, and City won once. Just to remind you, City eliminated the rivals from the Carabao Cup semis. After those two contests, United would beat them in the Premier League 2-0, and the game at Etihad saw no goals.

Three weeks ago, these two teams played 0-0 at Trafford.

Prediction

As in the first match this season, there won’t be many goals in this event. Solskjaer will set up a defensive game plan for sure, while City already plays slow and dull matches this year.

Under 2.5 goals is the first and the only advice we want to give you. The odds are -125.