A struggling Manchester City will host an inconsistent Manchester United in a Premier League clash on Sunday.
For years, City, under Pep Guardiola, has painted the city blue with a brand of football that has redefined dominance in England. However, this season, the wheels are coming off the City juggernaut.
Guardiola’s side finds themselves in unfamiliar territory, having lost seven of their last ten games across all competitions. A 2-0 defeat to Juventus in the Champions League midweek added to their misery.
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United, meanwhile, arrives at the Etihad with their own baggage. Ruben Amorim’s promising start with the Red Devils seems to have fizzled out, with United languishing in 13th after back-to-back losses to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Man City vs. Man United live stream, TV channel in UK
TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Ultra HD
Live stream: Sky Go UK, NOW, SKY GO Extra
This game is available for live TV broadcast in UK on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Ultra HD. Streaming options are available on Sky Go UK, NOW and SKY GO Extra.
What time does Man City vs. Man United kick off?
This Premier League clash takes place at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England and kicks off on Sunday, December 15 at 4:30 p.m. local time.
Man City vs. Man United lineups, team news
Guardiola is facing a defensive crisis for this game exacerbated by the loss of Manuel Akanji, who has been ruled out with a pelvic injury.
With John Stones and Nathan Ake struggling and Rico Lewis suspended, that means City could end up fielding a makeshift defence that could include a midfielder or youngster Jahmai Simpson-Pusey.
Rodri and Oscar Bobb remain long-term absentees, but Mateo Kovacic should be fit enough to start, meaning Jack Grealish can vacate the defensive-midfield role he played against Juventus.
Man City predicted lineup (3-2-4-1, right to left): Ederson (GK) — Walker, Dias, Gvardiol — Gundogan, Kovacic — Silva, De Bruyne, Grealish, Savinho — Haaland
Injured: Akanji (pelvis), Stones (foot), Ake (thigh), Rodri (knee), Bobb (leg), Foden (illness, doubt)
Suspended: Lewis (red card, 1/1)
United’s injury picture is at long last looking largely positive, although they are still without Luke Shaw, who suffered a setback on his road to recovery.
Amorim confirmed that Jonny Evans is back in full training, having been sidelined since his first game in charge against Ipswich Town last month.
Rasmus Hojlund will likely start after scoring twice off the bench against Viktoria Plzen this week, while Mason Mount‘s decent cameo could earn him a starting spot.
Man United predicted lineup (3-4-3, right to left): Onana (GK) — Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez — Amad Diallo, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot — Fernandes, Hojlund, Mount
Injured: Shaw (undisclosed)
Suspended: None
Man City vs. Man United Prediction
Manchester City have won five of the last six derbies against Manchester United, which may give them the necessary mental boost to emerge as victors this time too.
However, both sides have been far from their best selves this season. Considering how vulnerable their defenses are at the moment, this Manchester Derby should be an end-to-end goal-fest with City narrowly emerging as victors
- Prediction: Man City 3-2 Man United
Premier League fixture schedule this week
All times BST
Saturday, December 14
- Arsenal vs. Everton (3:00 p.m.)
- Liverpool vs. Fulham (3:00 p.m.)
- Newcastle vs. Leicester (3:00 p.m.)
- Wolves vs. Ipswich (3:00 p.m.)
- Nottingham Forest vs. Aston Villa (5:30 p.m.)
Sunday, December 15
- Brighton vs. Crystal Palace (2:00 p.m.)
- Man City vs. Man United (4:30 p.m.)
- Southampton vs. Tottenham (7:00 p.m.)
- Chelsea vs. Brighton (7:00 p.m.)
Monday, December 16
- Bournemouth vs. West Ham (8:00 p.m.)