Premier League: It’s Derby Day and the Gap is Wide

Manchester City vs Manchester United

It’s the match of the Premier League this weekend because it’s the 179th Manchester Derby.

While the stakes have been higher in more recent seasons, the drama promises to be as compelling as ever.

The truth, however, is that for the first time in my lifetime, Manchester City are streets ahead of their more illustrious rivals.

Not just financially, although their Abu Dhabi takeover in 2008 has undoubtedly changed the landscape of English football, but also the way they are perceived to be run and structured.

While one club is committed to major investment, the other has been asset stripped for too long. Or certainly that is how it appears from the outside.

The most telling statistic that outlines the great difference between these two English football institutions is that since Sheikh Mansour bought the club 11 years ago, Manchester City have spent in excess of £1-billion on players and facilities.

During the same period, United have paid £1 billion on interest repayments on their debt alone. If ever you needed an example of the different pathways taken, look no further. That should be evident on the pitch this weekend too.

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Talking Points

United actually come into derby day after one of their best results and showings of the season – not that there has been a great selection so far.

A night when they deserved their victory against another established top six club, albeit one which underperformed in a way United have for much of the campaign to date.

Despite some genuine talent in certain areas, the United squad is clearly deficient and without significant purchases in January. They will struggle to

reach the top six and significant changes at the top cannot come soon enough.

Not that anyone at the club will tell you that pointing to results like the midweek success against Spurs — something which has become the exception rather than the norm of late — is a sign of genuine progress.

Yet the fact remains they have only once away from home in the league so far and I can’t see that changing at the home of the champions.

Manchester United look to bounce back in Premier League when they face city rivals Manchester City next — Manchester United players celebrate after an opening goal during the Premier League match at Old Trafford

City have not actually kept a clean sheet in eight successive games and are a massive 11 points off the pace.

Their central defence appears to be a clear area of weakness as they failed to buy a replacement for skipper Vincent Kompany in the summer. They also lost Aymeric Laporte to injury and have opted not to play Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones together in any game since September.

Yet they still have more than enough to beat most of their rivals right now. United can only claim to share a postcode because the differences in other areas are vast.

History

These two have produced so many Premier League highlights over the years.

Last season, City completed a league double over United. They were 3-1 home winners courtesy of strikes from David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Ilkay Gundogan. The visitors replied through an Anthony Martial penalty.

City also won crucially, 2-0, at Old Trafford in April when Bernardo Silva and Leroy Sane were the marksmen.

Cast your mind back 18 months ago and there was a famous victory for United in this fixture.

At 2-0 up at the break, City were about to be crowned champions but United delayed their coronation with a fine 3-2 fightback spearheaded by Paul Pogba and Chris Smalling.

United have the edge historically, winning 73 of their meetings compared to City’s 52 triumphs and 52 draws.

Betting Tip

	Manchester City vs. Manchester United	Total Goal 4-6 @ 2. 57
	December 8, 1:30(GMT+8)

With the SBOBET Premier League betting odds, it’s City all the way.

The hosts can be backed 1X2 @ 1.30 with United @ 10.50. Have the Red Devils ever been so far adrift in the betting stakes in modern times? The draw is available @ 4.90.

With Asian Handicap betting, there is the option of City -1.75 @ 2.19 with United +1.50 @ 2.03.

Over 3.25 goals — which occurred in last season’s fixture– is priced @ 2.08, with an exact repeat correct score 3-1 on offer @ 9.00.

To show how much they are now outsiders, Double Chance United or Draw will pay out @ 3.30.

This to me is now a home banker and I think City will win with a bit to spare and there will be plenty of goals too.

Look at the respective substitutes’ benches this weekend and that will tell its own story. City may not be able to match United’s pedigree and tradition but they have a much superior team and seemingly, a slicker operation from within.