Manchester City v Manchester United Betting Tips [3 March 2024]

The biggest game in the Premier League this weekend pits Manchester City at home to Manchester United. The two sides share the same city but not fortunes, as City are second and United sixth in the standings. Manchester City are on 59 points, just one behind Liverpool and will be targeting a win here, which could take them top. This is a fixture they’ve dominated in recent times and already sent a warning with their 6-2 FA Cup thrashing of Luton Town. In that game, Erling Haaland netted five times and the Norwegian will be fired up for this encounter. The last time United visited the Etihad for a league game, Haaland scored three goals. His return to form and fitness coincides well with City’s upturn and the forward will definitely be a key man here. Manchester City have three straight wins coming into this game. They are unbeaten in their last 18 matches, winning 16 of them. In the last six meetings with Manchester United, City have emerged winners. In a tight league title race that separated the top three by just two points, City can't afford to drop points here. They are unbeaten in 24 home league matches, with 19 wins.

Manchester United did win their midweek FA Cup game, but unlike Manchester City, it wasn’t a smooth ride. The Red Devils had to labour through the game only managing a late goal to sink Nottingham Forest 1-0. Casemiro scored the all important goal for a United side grappling with injuries, especially to defensive players. Nottingham did get good openings in the game and were it not for their wastefulness, United would be out of the FA Cup. Erik ten Hag will definitely review the game in light of getting his defence ready for Haaland. The Dutchman will once again be forced to use a makeshift backline. Luke Shaw is injured, and Sofyan Amrabat will be called upon to man the left side of defence. Meanwhile, it is likely that Harry Maguire will miss out again while upfront, the big absentee is Rasmus Hojlund. Though with a bit of struggles, United have had results going their way, and here they will hope it works for them again. They are clear underdogs despite their run of seven wins in nine matches.

Erling Haaland will love this fixture and the fact that it finds him and City in good health. He had five goals in four matches against Manchester United, and has scored six times in City’s last two games. In the reverse fixture against United, Haaland netted twice in a 3-0 win. Our prediction for Manchester City v Manchester United is for Erling Haaland to score anytime.