The Manchester derby has always been a huge fixture for both clubs with the massive bragging rights at stake. However over recent years the rivalry has become more fierce than ever. No longer are Man City going into the derby as underdogs while United storm to another league title.

City’s financial backing since the introduction of wealthy new owners in 2008 has made them a force of their own. Now they go into Manchester derbies as most people’s favourite.

2016’s Manchester derby is going to be more eye catching than ever. The addition of two new managers, none other than Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho will create huge interest in this game.

The two managerial titans are no strangers to facing each other and have an interesting head to head record in another massive derby: El Classico.

Guardiola v Mourinho

With Pep as manager of Barcelona and Mourinho as manager of Real Madrid, the two have faced each other a total of 11 times. In Spain there was only one winner – Guardiola. Out of their 11 meetings, Mourinho’s Real won only 2 games. There were 4 draws and a massive 5 victories for Guardiola’s Barcelona. Will Pep’s superiority transfer over to the Premier League?

United v City

As you can see, there’s usually plenty of goal in these games, with the majority of them being scored by Manchester City in recent years. However, since 2015, Manchester United’s derby formed has actually picked up and they’ve come away with a draw and 2 victories from the last 3 derbies.

Derbies are notoriously difficult to bet on because they are so unpredictable. Form goes out of the window and anything can happen in those 90 minutes. We’ve taken a look at some of the potential betting options based on past results.

Both Teams to Score

Both teams to score is a very popular bet for derby games but perhaps it’s one that should be avoided. Both teams have scored in only 50% of the last 10 derbies and only ONE of the last 5.

Over 2.5 goals

Over 2.5 goals may be a better option to account for a big victory for either side which has been quite a common occurrence. There have been over 2.5 goals in 60% of the last 10 derbies but only twice in the last 5.

Goalscorers

United Striker (or Midfielder?) Wayne Rooney has scored 11 goals in Manchester derbies; more than any other player in this fixture. It might be worth a punt on him to score first or to score anytime.

Cards

The sterotype of a derby is a game filled with red and yellow cards so many of you might be tempted to have a bet on cards. There has only been 2 red cards in the last 10 derbies and the games have averaged just under 5 yellow cards per game. Over 4.5 yellow cards might be worth a bet.

Instead City will either have to look to youngster Kelechi Iheanacho for their goals, or rely on their star studded midfield to chip in. One of these midfielders is Raheem Sterling. The 50 million pound man looks revitalised under Guardiola and is (almost) starting to look like he’s worth that transfer fee. There’s also goalscoring potential in Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and new signing Nolito. If you fancy City to come away with all 3 points then the best odds you can get are 12/5 with Coral.

Man City to win – 12/5 with Coral

United look a real title contender now arguably for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson left Old Trafford. With Mourinho, a proven winner, in charge and some massive summer signings including Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic – United are a formidable outfit. Being the home side they were always going to be favourites and the best price you can get for a United win is currently 13/10.

Man United to win – 13/10

If you dont fancy backing either team, and we dont blame you, then it might be best to look at goals. We discussed above the history of goals in recent Manchester derbies and came to the conclusion that going for over 2.5 goals is statistically a better shout than both teams to score. The best odds for over 2.5 goals is currently 21/20 with Coral.

Over 2.5 Goals – 21/20 with Coral

If you’re looking for goalscorers then there are a few to choose from.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has had the perfect start to his United career so far and has proven just how good of a goalscorer he really is. The Swedish enigma is at a very tempting 11/2 with Coral to open the scoring.

Ibrahimovic First Goalscorer – 11/2 with Coral

We mentioned earlier that no one has scored more goals in Manchester derbies than Wayne Rooney. If you fancy him to notch another derby goal then you can get him at 7/1 to score first – again best priced with Coral.

Wayne Rooney First Goalscorer – 7/1 with Coral

For City there would only be one choice for first goalscorer but unfortunately we can’t bet on Aguero! A punt on Iheanacho could be a risk as Guardiola may not start with him and use a false 9 instead. In terms of form, a bet on Raheem Sterling could be profitable after his strong start to the season. Paddy Power have the highest odds for Sterling first goalscorer at 10/1.

Raheem Sterling First Goalscorer – 10/1 with Paddy Power