It’s north v south, Manchester v London in two blockbuster matches live on television on Sunday. The Mancunians can end the day with smiles on their faces while the Londoners must face Monday morning after two defeats for their teams. City and United can do the double over Arsenal and Chelsea and that bet pays with 100/30 Ladbrokes. The two Manchester clubs are better teams than their opponents in these fixtures and can both earn maximum points. .
City and United are first and second in the league and are at the head of the betting. The bookmakers can’t see past the Blues while the Reds look destined for second place this time. Tottenham could get in the mix but losing at Old Trafford last weekend was a damaging result. They looked a different side with Harry Kane against Real Madrid and were worthy winners of that Champions League fixture at Wembley.
Both Manchester clubs won in the Champions League this week. City beat Napoli by the odd goal in five and Sergio Aguero became their record sorer. United’s home victory over Benfica was nothing special but they are now on the verge of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League. If the draw is kind City could play United in the final in Ukraine next May. The people of Manchester would decamp to Kiev for the biggest match in both club’s history.
The teams have met 172 times but never in a European competition. Real And Atletico Madrid have met in two Champions League finals but no other final has involved teams from the same city. On current form City have a great chance of going all the way and Jose Mourinho knows what it takes to become the champions of Europe. He targeted the Europa League last season and United delivered. The Special one sees the Champions League as the Holy Grail of football and he’d love to win it with a third club.
City are on a brilliant run of form and are scoring goals for fun. They have only dropped points in the home draw with Everton and in 10 league fixtures they have scored 35 goals and conceded just six. Aguero has now scored more goals for the club than any other player and David Silva is keen to extend his contract. Kevin de Bruyne looks nailed on to be the player of the year and the sum is a side that can beat Arsenal. Raheem Sterling has found his scoring boots and is hitting the net every week.
The Gunners played Red Star Belgrade at home in the Europa League on Thursday so only had two full days to prepare for one of their toughest assignments. Arsenal were bullied by Watford but looked impressive at Everton but that side were in disarray at the time. The side is stuttering to wins but City are ruthless in taking chances and this is one fixture in which Arsenal will not be in control and a defeat is expected.
Something is not quite right at Chelsea and maybe Antonio Conte’s unique style is grating rather than inspiring the players. They were dismal at Roma in the Champions League and the three goal defeat was actually quite flattering. Chelsea have won just two of five league games at home and lost two of those fixtures. Confidence must be shot and United can take advantage and return north on Saturday with a crucial win.
The capital of football in England is a much sought after title and Liverpool and London have had their dominance. However, Manchester is now the centre of the national sport with City having an edge over United but both can win on Sunday against opposition from the capital.
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