The Premier League continues this weekend with two big derby matches taking centre stage. Manchester United will look to make it two wins from two as they visit the Etihad to take on Manchester City, while West Ham will be looking to get back to winning ways against Arsenal.
Manchester City vs Manchester United
The Manchester derby takes centre stage on Saturday evening as Manchester United look to end Manchester City’s title hopes at the Etihad. City currently trail the runaway leaders by eleven points, but if that gap extends any more, then it may be a bridge too far.
The Citizens got a big win on Tuesday evening, as Gabriel Jesus scored twice in a 4-1 win at Burnley. There were also goals for Rodri and Riyad Mahrez in that victory at Turf Moor. United meanwhile got back to winning ways with their best performance of the season against Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur. The Red Devils went ahead through Marcus Rashford before Dele Alli equalised for the visitors. United went on to claim all three points as Rashford scored his second of the game from the penalty spot. The result means United remain eight points adrift from the top-four, but a win at the Etihad could be season changing.
Both sides will be missing important players for the fixture, with Sergio Aguero, Aymeric Laporte and Leroy Sane all on the treatment table for Pep Guardiola’s side. Meanwhile, United will be without Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Eric Bailly.
United holds the advantage in the overall record between the sides as they have won on 73 occasions in the past. City have registered 53 wins, and there have been 52 draws. However, the Red Devils have only won once in the past five meetings, and once on their previous three visits to the Etihad. It is unlikely that this pattern will change on Saturdays and a City win would be a solid option for punters.
West Ham United vs Arsenal
The pressure on Manuel Pellegrini is increasing, but he can strengthen his job security with a big win at the London Stadium on Monday evening. Meanwhile, Freddie Ljungberg will be hoping for a first win in charge at Arsenal after holding on for a draw in their last trip on the road. Matters were made worse for the Swede last time out as they were humbled at home by Brighton & Hove Albion.
That away draw at Norwich City was his first in charge at the Gunners, and his side had to come from behind twice. Teemu Pukki opened the scoring for the Canaries before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalised from the penalty spot. Todd Cantwell put the hosts back in front before Aubameyang equalised again for the Gunners. There wasn't as much fight in their game at the Emirates on Thursday evening, as they seemed to have no answer for the Brighton attacking movement. The Seagulls were the deserved winners in that fixture, and any hope of Ljungberg getting the job on a full-time basis will hinge on a result against the Hammers. West Ham have been in terrible form over recent weeks and now find themselves locked in a relegation battle. They have lost five consecutive games, and haven’t won at home since their 2-0 victory over Manchester United in September. Last time out they fell to a 2-0 defeat on the road against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Once again the Hammers will be without their first-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski. Meanwhile, Manuel Lanzini and Jack Wilshere will also miss out. The Gunners could welcome back Rob Holding, but Hector Bellerin will once again be out through injury.
The Gunners hold the advantage in the overall record as they have won on 66 previous occasions. West Ham have won on 35 occasions, and there have been 39 draws. Arsenal have won five of the last seven meetings, but the Hammers won the previous meeting at the London Stadium. There has been an average of 3.33 goals per match over the previous three fixtures between the sides, which means the "over 2.5 goals" bet could be a good option for the punters.
