Man City vs Man United: EPL matchday 4 preview, prediction, betting tips
Man City forward, Erling Haaland (left) and Man United midfielder Bruno Fernandes (right). Photo Credit- The Sun
The Etihad Stadium hosts the 197th Manchester Derby on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at 4:30 PM (WAT), as Manchester City welcome Manchester United in a Premier League showdown that could define both clubs’ early-season trajectories. With City languishing in 13th after a turbulent start and United sitting slightly higher on four points, this fixture arrives amid tactical overhauls, injury crises, and heightened pressure on managers Pep Guardiola and Ruben Amorim. This preview breaks down recent performances, tactics, team news, predicted lineups, head-to-head stats, score prediction, and betting tips.
Manchester City’s recent form
Manchester City, the four-time defending Premier League champions, have endured a shocking start to the 2025/26 season, sitting 13th with just three points from three games, one win and two losses, marking their worst opening in over a decade. Their campaign kicked off with a commanding 4-0 away victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 16, where Erling Haaland’s brace highlighted their attacking potential, but it quickly unraveled. A 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur exposed defensive frailties, followed by a 2-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion, where City’s possession dominance (62%) failed to yield goals amid a slew of injuries. This marks the first time since 2018 that City have lost three games in a row across all competitions, including a pre-season friendly. The departures of Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, and Ederson have left a leadership void, with new captain Bernardo Silva struggling to rally the side.
Man City tactics
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have shifted to a more vertical, transitional 4-2-3-1 under new assistant Pep Lijnders, blending possession dominance with intensified counter-pressing and faster attacks to address last season’s vulnerabilities. With Bernardo Silva as captain, City emphasize quick ball progression through Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders in midfield, feeding wingers Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden to supply Erling Haaland. However, injuries have forced makeshift defenses, leading to a 58% possession average but only 1.3 goals per game so far. This evolution, inspired by Guardiola’s intensity, aims to exploit transitions but has faltered against compact setups, as seen in the Brighton loss.
Man City team news and injuries
Manchester City face a defensive injury crisis, with Josko Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov (calf), John Stones (doubt), Rayan Ait-Nouri (ankle), and Rico Lewis all sidelined, forcing makeshift pairings like Nathan Ake at left-back and Matheus Nunes at right-back. Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki are out long-term (thigh, until November), but Gianluigi Donnarumma is set for his debut in goal. Rodri is fully fit, providing midfield stability. No suspensions.
Manchester City Predicted Lineups (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma (GK); Nunes, Dias, Ake, O’Reilly; Rodri, Reijnders; Doku, Bernardo, Foden; Haaland.
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Man United’s recent performances
Manchester United, under Ruben Amorim’s first full season, have scraped together four points from three matches, placing them just above City in the table, a rare derby edge, but their form remains inconsistent after a dismal 15th-place finish in 2024/25. The Red Devils opened with a 1-0 defeat against Arsenal, then a 1-1 away draw at Fulham, relying on an own goal. Their latest outing, a dramatic 3-2 victory over Burnley on September 1, saw Bruno Fernandes score a 97th-minute penalty to secure their first league win. United have taken 58 shots, the most in the league, but converted just four into goals (2 own goals), highlighting finishing woes. A shock EFL Cup penalty exit to Grimsby Town amplified dressing-room doubts about Amorim’s methods, but the Burnley win has restored some belief.
Man United tactical analysis
Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United deploy a rigid 3-4-2-1, focusing on structured build-up from the back three and high pressing to control games, a departure from the chaos of prior regimes. Wing-backs like Diogo Dalot (doubtful) provide width, while Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo link midfield to a front three led by Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. United rank top for shots (58) but bottom-five for conversion (3.4%), per Sports Mole, with Amorim’s emphasis on central circulation (top in Europe for progressive passes) clashing against City’s press. The system demands a physical No. 9 like Sesko to pin defenses, creating space for Fernandes’ creativity, but execution has been patchy amid integration issues.
Man United team news and injuries
Manchester United’s injury list is equally grim: Lisandro Martinez (ACL), Matheus Cunha (hamstring), Diogo Dalot (muscle, doubtful), and Mason Mount (muscle) are absent, thinning their backline and attack. New signing Senne Lammens waits behind Altay Bayindir in goal, while Benjamin Sesko could make his full Premier League debut up top. Kobbie Mainoo is in line for his first league start. No suspensions, but Amorim confirmed Bayindir starts.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1): Bayindir (GK); Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Amad Diallo, Casemiro, Mainoo, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Fernandes; Sesko.
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City vs United head-to-head statistics
Manchester City hold a strong historical advantage, winning 36 of 58 meetings since 1995 (62%), with United claiming 10 (17%) and 12 draws (21%), averaging 3.18 goals per game and both teams scoring in 55% of encounters. In the Premier League specifically (33 games), City have 17 wins to United’s five, per AiScore. Over the last 10 Premier League derbies, City boast a 5-2-3 record with a +9 goal difference, including a 6-3 thrashing in October 2022. However, United are unbeaten in the last four derbies (1 win, 3 draws), including a 2-1 victory at the Etihad in December 2024. Haaland has six goals in eight derbies, showing City’s threat.
Man City vs Man United score prediction
Both sides’ injury-hit defenses and attacking intent suggest goals, but City’s home form (unbeaten in 15 derbies at the Etihad) and Haaland’s derby record give them the edge over United’s fragile back three. United’s shot volume could yield chances, but conversion issues persist. Expect City to control possession (60%) and strike decisively.
