The battle for Manchester promises hot passions
Today at 16:00 is the big derby between Manchester City and Manchester United. The two teams face each other in another spectacular clash. The match is from the 9th round of the Premier League and will be held at the Etihad.
Champions Man City have started this season in a brilliant way as well. Josep Guardiola’s team has yet to taste defeat, with 5 wins and 2 draws to their credit and are looking to be top contenders for the title again this season. Especially impressive is the performance of the new addition, Erling Holland, who not only lives up to, but even exceeds expectations, having 11 goals and 1 assist in 7 games played. He will be the biggest threat to David De Gea’s goal today. But the rest of his teammates also know how to score and cannot be underestimated.
In Manchester United, the situation is a little different. The team got off to a rough start under new manager Erik ten Haag, but began to find themselves as time went on and recorded two particularly important wins, 2-1 over Liverpool and 3-1 over Arsenal. But now comes another big hurdle and the Dutch manager will have to figure out. How to outsmart his opponent Josep Guardiola.
In depth analysis about the clash of Manchester teams
With the “red devils”, it is worth noting the weak form in which the star of the team, Cristiano Ronaldo, is. The 37-year-old Portuguese hasn’t looked like himself since the start of the season, with just 1 goal scored and that was in the Europa League. Logically, he increasingly started to remain on the bench, as well as captain Harry Maguire, who has also not been in optimal form since the start of the campaign.
The hosts have no particular staffing problems, as only John Stones is injured after the matches of the national teams, but the good news is that Aymeric Laporte has already recovered and will be available to Pep Guardiola.
The guests have more problems. In the infirmary are Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Donnie van de Beek, Brendan Williams and Martin Dubravka. The good news is that Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are already in full training and will have a chance to feature in the game.
NEWS OF THE CITY TEAM
John Stones will not play, according to Pep Guardiola, who also spoke to the media. Stones, an England defender, suffered a hamstring injury during Monday night’s 3-3 UEFA Nations League match with Germany at Wembley.
Guardiola responded when asked how long Stones could be away: “I’m not sure. When he is ready he will return.”
Aymeric Laporte, another Blues defender, is rumoured to be nearing a comeback after missing time with a knee injury. While Kalvin Phillips is unquestionably out following shoulder surgery as he works to be ready for the winter World Cup.
When Nathan Collins was given a straight red card for an unjustifiably high challenge on Grealish. Whatever chances Wolves had of making a stunning comeback were gone. Phil Foden’s goal in the 69th minute sealed the victory for the defending champions.
With that 3-0 victory, Pep Guardiola’s team briefly regained the lead in the standings. However, Arsenal’s subsequent win over Brentford by the same score put the champions in second place. One point behind the North London club.
In the North London derby on Saturday at noon. At least one of Arsenal or third-place Tottenham Hotspur will lose points. Which might allow Man City to recover first place with a win.
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Cancelo; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Grealish
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Sancho; Rashford
