Premier League Game of the Week: A Manchester derby haunted by loss

This season’s Manchester Derby sees two opposite teams coming together: One riding on the high of a historic treble, one floundering through a seemingly endless swamp of bad press. But form means little in a game as emotional as the Manchester Derby. There is every chance that struggling Man United could turn it on and embarrass its neighbors: just look at last season's 2-1 United victory, spurred on by an impossibly great Fred performance in midfield, for evidence.

For all their differences, United and City enter this match on the back of shared losses. United lost club legend and board member Sir Bobby Charlton last Sunday; City lost club legend and chairman Francis Lee when he passed just a few weeks earlier. These twin passings feel final for the city of Manchester; a sign that soccer is changing in ways it can’t reverse. They will add a certain solemnity to the match on Sunday at Old Trafford.

But each of these teams, and the city of Manchester as a whole, cannot solely dwell on the past. This game is a perfect opportunity for all parties to stake their claims on the future; to push this historic match into the next phase of its evolution. How will it play out? Here’s what we’re keeping an eye on:

Result and Score — Man City is the clear favorite in this one, but don’t think United won’t give this game everything it’s got. At +200, we think betting on a City victory with both teams scoring is an interesting idea.

Halftime / Full Time — We may think City will win, but what will the scoreline be at the halftime whistle? City has made a habit of scoring early in recent weeks, with key goals coming between the 5^th and 25^th minutes in a host of Premier League fixtures. With that in mind, we think City controlling the game at both halftime and full time is a steal at +162. United fans who expect their team to perform a little better might also want to take a punt on a halftime tie followed by a City win at +375.

Goalscorer — Swiss defender Manuel Akanji — one of City’s unsung heroes — was sent off last weekend against Brighton after committing two yellow card worthy challenges. (Was that second card really fair? Your answer will probably depend on what color jersey you’ve got hanging in your closet. We think it’s a close call, but we come down on the side of the ref on this one.)

Akanji is a player the average viewer doesn’t watch too closely, but his role in City’s back three is crucial. He controls the ball throughout City’s right flank and his passing has been a big part of winger Jeremy Doku’s great performances this season. He also serves as a brick wall on the right, keeping opposing midfielders from sneaking past him and firing off crosses.

With last week’s double yellow, Akanji will be unavailable for the Manchester Derby. And that’s great news for one United player in particular: Bruno Fernandes. We’ve seen Ten Hag start Fernandes on the right in big games; we think Fernandes will relish the opportunity to run circles around Akanji’s replacement. At +450 to score at any time, Fernandes is an excellent bet.