There’s no escaping it - the Manchester Derby is this weekend and now more than ever it is being shaped by narrative rather than actual football. It’s surpassed noisy neighbours and churlish signs. It will be the first time Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola meet in a Premier League clash.
Most managers would focus on not losing to their rivals at this early stage in the season, but Mourinho and Guardiola are not most managers. Each will desperately want to get one over on the other, hoping for a psychological edge in the title race - even in gameweek 4.
While it’s been intimated that after 16 tries, Mourinho has finally ‘figured out’ Guardiola out, the fact remains he’s lost to the Spaniard more than he has any opposition manager he’s faced - 7 times. And has won just 1 of their last 9 meetings. All of which will play on Mourinho’s mind no matter what claims he makes about their rivalry being behind them. He will be out to prove a point on Saturday and in the process increase your chances of an early win.
Bet365 are on hand to help you, the punter, win money in the hotly anticipated Manchester Derby. New Bet365 customers receive a 100% deposit bonus. When you deposit £10 or more you will qualify for a matched amount to bet with, up to £200. Given the excellent markets on offer for Saturday’s early kick off, you stand to win money from the match.
Back to the game itself and it’s not just the manager that Mourinho has had his struggles with, he’s failed to win his last 4 games against City. Chelsea conceded 7 and scored just 2 in that run. While the biggest loss was in Chelsea’s worst season in decades, Mourinho could only manage a draw both home and away in the title winning season.
Both Mourinho and Manchester United struggled at the start of last season, but their union and a few million pounds in transfers have turned their fortunes this season. They have won each of their opening 3 league games together and conceded just a single goal, fewer that any other team in the Premier League this season.
With no major injuries after the international break, Manchester United are likely to start the same XI that has secured back-to-back league wins and contributed to a 100% start to the season. That continuity could be the difference in a game of such fine margins.
Manchester City will be without their talismanic striker, Sergio Agüero, after his elbow met Winston Reid’s face in City’s last game out. The Argentinian had scored 5 of the last 10 goals that City have scored against Manchester United, including each of their last 3. While it’s not ideal, City only failed to score in 3 of the 17 matches Agüero did not start last season.
But that may not be the only change to City’s lineup come Saturday lunchtime. A number of their new signings could get their debut including former Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. Highly touted youngster Leroy Sané is match fit and could give Guardiola another option in an already formidable attack, while fellow summer arrival Ilkay Gundogan could also feature.
While it’s unlikely we’ll see a repeat of the 4-2 at Old Trafford from a couple of seasons ago, a safe bet should be both teams finding the back of the net. Manchester City have scored in each of their last 11 Premier League matches and have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 6 league games. You can get both teams to score on Bet365 at 1.80.
.jpg "Will Ibra Get Revenge on Pep With The Winner This Weekend?")
While the head to head records between Mourinho and Guardiola as well as his recent record against City favours the visitors, Manchester United’s recent home form has been formidible. The Red Devils have won 8 of their last 9 home league games only dropping 2 points to Champions Leicester. You can bet on both teams to score and Mourinho to take the points at 4.75.
Jose Mourinho is not the only one who’s not a member of the Pep Guardiola fan club. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has spoken out a number of times on his contentious relationship with his former manager. He went one step further this week heaping praise on Mourinho saying that “He’s a winner, I see myself as a winner also. I like to win, I’ll do anything to win. He thinks the same thing. He won. And I won. We won when we were young and we will win when we are a little bit older.”
No doubt Ibrahimovic will be looking to add to his already impressive goal tally. He’s scored 4 goals in his 4 appearances for Manchester United so far. You can bet on him to score anytime at 2.37. If you think he’ll be the man to net the winner for Manchester United and Jose Mourinho, you can get him at 5.00 to be the last goalscorer. He’s scored United’s final goal in 3 of their 4 competitive games this season.
