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The first edition of the Manchester Derby of the 2017-18 Premier League season is set to commence on Sunday as a part of Match Day 16. It's a little early to say that Manchester City can win the EPL with any given win in December, but three points at Old Trafford would put it 11 points clear of the field with a home match yet to play against the Red Devils later in the season. The chances of anyone running down the Citizens at that point would essentially be til.
Don't miss the English Premier League action from Old Trafford at 11:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, December 10, 2017. Catch every moment of the match live on NBC Sports Network.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Manchester United +235
Manchester City +110 Draw +250
Over/Under 2.5
Odds Analysis
To say that Manchester United has to go for broke in this match is an understatement. Anything less than three points, and Jose Mourinho can kiss any chances of catching the Citizens this season goodbye.
Of course, that doesn't mean that "The Chosen One" actually will decide that Man U can win the EPL. If he has made up his mind that this is a losing fight this season – and a prudent decision that would likely be – he could go back to his old ways of parking the bus at the back and daring the Citizens to try to score with 10 men constantly behind the ball.
Man City is still a +110 away favorite to claim all three points in this match, and why not? The team has all but two points from the maximum this year through 15 duels, and though this might be the toughest fixture left this year, it's certainly winnable.
Key Injuries
Benjamin Mendy and John Stones are on the mend for this match against United. That said, Pep Guardiola should have David Silva available for this fixture should he choose to play him. Guardiola decided to leave a slew of his regulars on the bench for the Champions League match against Shahktar Donetsk on Wednesday to further avoid any potentially serious complications for the Manchester Derby.
Paul Pogba's suspension was poorly timed for the Red Devils. He'll miss the next three matches after picking up a nasty red card against Arsenal last weekend. Though Nemanja Matic might be back for Man U, Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick are both likely to be on the touchline and unavailable.
Recent Form
Forget about the icky match the Citizens played in Ukraine on Wednesday. The match didn't mean anything to the Citizens, and they didn't even remotely try to field a good side with advancement to the knockout round of the competition already assured.
Instead, focus on the eight wins in normal time that came before it in a row across all competitions. Though teams have been getting closer to Manchester City, there's still no doubt this is the best team in England this year.
Manchester United picked up a big win over CSKA Moscow to win its group in the Champions League, and that should very well be the focus the rest of the way for Mourinho. A top four finish isn't a guarantee yet in the EPL to assure a return to the UCL next season, but four straight wins in the league have helped to bring that dream closer to a reality.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Mourinho has been playing his little mind games in the press, but we aren't buying it and neither should Man City. These two teams aren't anywhere near on level pegging, and with or without Silva, the Citizens will end up being the better team on the pitch.
Still, the under is the better play of the options for sure. We just can't see United caring enough to send people forward, and even if City takes the lead in this match early, we could have a drab go of it the rest of the way.
English Premier League Odds: Manchester City 1, Manchester United 0
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