Premier League preview: Manchester City vs Manchester United

Genius Sports Report
March 5, 2021

The Playbook @genius_playbook

💫 Roger Schmidt’s #Benfica have been electric this season. Their form at the Estádio da Luz was the key:

🔴 45 goals
🔴 47.3 xG
🔴 6.7 shots on goal per game
🔴 34.5 touches in opp. box per game
🔴 33.9 line-breaking passes per game

#SLB38 | #EuAmoOBenfica twitter.com/slbenfica_en/s…

SL Benfica

@slbenfica_en

W FOR 𝑹𝑶𝑮𝑬𝑹 𝑩𝑨𝑳𝑳 🔥🔥🔥

The Playbook @genius_playbook

🔴 @SLBenfica: campeões 🏆

A 3-0 win over Santa Clara sealed the deal for #Benfica, who claimed their record-extending 38th league title. It’s their first #LigaPortugal championship victory in four years. 🔥

#SLB38 | #EuAmoOBenfica

The Playbook @genius_playbook

📊 The game that lost @FCNordsjaelland the title.

@FCKobenhavn were handed the title by #fcn‘s loss to rivals @BrondbyIF. Nordsjaelland had more shots, more corners, and OVER 300 MORE completed passes (397-700).

But #Brøndby won where it matters most. ⚽️

#fcklive | #sldk

Manchester derby

It’s the Manchester derby on Sunday as Manchester City bid to make it 22 consecutive wins in all competitions when they host neighbours Manchester United.

Man City form

City scored three times in the last 13 minutes against Wolves to win 4-1 on Tuesday and stretch their unbeaten record to 28 matches. If City avoid defeat against their rivals they will set a new club record for games undefeated.

Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City celebrates after scoring their side’s second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Etihad Stadium. Photo by Carl Recine – Pool/Getty Images)

Pep Guardiola’s side have won 15 straight games in the Premier League and currently lead Man United by 14 points.

Ilkay Gundogan – Man City’s top scorer in the Premier League – has scored five and assisted once in five games against the ‘Big six’.

Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City scores their side’s second goal past Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield. (Photo by Jon Super – Pool/Getty Images)

Man United form

Man United have hit a barren run of form, winning just two of their last eight league games. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side led the league table in mid January but are now 14 points behind Manchester City and looking over their shoulders as they get drawn into a top four battle.

United have drawn their last three games in all competitions 0-0 with talisman Bruno Fernandes below his usual heroic standards. Marcus Rashford is also looking jaded, while youngster Mason Greenwood has scored just once this season in the Premier League.

Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United looks dejected after the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park.(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The Red Devils have yet to score from open play against the ‘Big six’ this season with five of the seven matches finishing 0-0. Their sole goal against one of the established sides was Bruno Fernandes’ penalty in a 6-1 defeat to Tottenham at the beginning of the season.

Head-to-head

The two sides drew 0-0 in December at Old Trafford in another drab game between the top six.

However, City won the League Cup semi-final 2-0 at Old Trafford. United have won three of the last five league away games at the Etihad, including the last two in all competitions.

Featured image: (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images). (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)