Manchester City vs Manchester United: Premier League Match Preview, Predicted Line-ups and Dream11 Predictions

Manchester City vs Manchester United is a blockbuster match with Premier League returning this weekend as heavyweights clash at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City vs Manchester United: Match Preview:

City looked in fine fettle heading into the international break, while United can boast four wins on the spin after overcoming a poor start but already sit five points off their local rivals.

The Manchester derbies last season were ones to forget for United – beating 2-0 at home before a 4-1 thumping at the Etihad – and City will be confident of another commanding display, especially with the seemingly unstoppable Erling Haaland up top.

Team News:

Manchester City:

Man City will expect to be boosted by the long-awaited return of Aymeric Laporte from a knee injury for the Manchester derby, and the centre-back's comeback will be timely after John Stones went off with a tight hamstring in England's draw with Germany.

Laporte will most likely have to settle for minutes as a substitute given his lengthy layoff, as Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias continue in the heart of the backline, and Guardiola will be without Kalvin Phillips for a number of weeks due to shoulder surgery.

Kyle Walker's return to fitness means that Guardiola is covered at right-back in the absence of Stones, while Haaland could become the first player ever to score a hat-trick in three successive Premier League home matches this weekend.

Manchester United:

Over at Old Trafford, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have made strong progress in their recoveries from injury and have been training with the squad this week, which could see both strikers return for the derby.

Rashford is sure to start up top over Cristiano Ronaldo if he is fit enough, although the Portuguese will be considered for a place if the Englishman's recovery still leaves something to be desired.

Harry Maguire endured a torrid time with England, which culminated in him returning to Man United with a tight hamstring, but Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez were always expected to pair up at the back.

Martin Dubravka, Donny van de Beek, Brandon Williams and Aaron Wan-Bissaka represent another wealth of injury concerns for Man United, and Ten Hag is facing another selection dilemma with Casemiro and Scott McTominay, with the former pushing hard for a start here.

Manchester City vs Manchester United: Head to Head:

Manchester United have a good historical record against Manchester City and have won 77 out of the 187 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to the Cityzens' 57 victories.

Manchester City are looking to win three consecutive matches against Manchester United for the first time since a run of four victories in 2014.

Manchester United have lost a total of 17 matches against Manchester City in the Premier League – they have suffered more league defeats only against Chelsea and Liverpool.

Predicted Line-ups:

Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Cancelo; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Grealish

Manchester United: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Sancho; Rashford

MCI vs MU: Dream11 Predictions: