The second Manchester derby of the season will take place at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday and Manchester City will expect to have too much for Manchester United in their own back yard.
City are in the midst of a three-way battle for the Premier League title with Liverpool and Arsenal and ominously for their rivals, and United this weekend, they appear to be at their impervious best, winning 16 of 18 matches across all competitions since last tasting defeat at Aston Villa in early December.
United's last loss was a lot more recent against Fulham last weekend and Sunday's trip across Manchester is unlikely to provide any respite for Erik ten Hag and his squad.
- Manchester City to win and BTTS
- Phil Foden to score anytime
- Sofyan Amrabat to be carded
City Have Hit Top Form
There has been a period over each of the last few seasons where City have hit a purple patch that no one else has been able to live with and it would seem they are in the midst of that once again.
Of their last 18 games across all competitions, Pep Guardiola's side are unbeaten, registering 16 wins and scoring an eye-watering 48 goals.
The most recent of those successes was their 6-2 thrashing of Luton in the FA Cup during the week, but that result also highlighted the one area of slight concern for the Citizens, as they have conceded in 15 of their last 23 matches.
That will give United hope of registering at least a goal, as despite their recent slip up to Fulham, the Red Devils have scored in 11 matches on the spin.
United have also notched in four of the last five Manchester derbies, but that hasn't tended to yield much success, as they have also lost five of the previous six showdowns with their near neighbours.
MAN CITY TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Foden Ready To Deliver Again
We may have only just reached March, but City winger Phil Foden has already matched his best scoring season for the club, with his 16th strike of the campaign proving to be the winner against Bournemouth last weekend.
Foden was rested for the midweek cup success over Luton, which should mean he is refreshed and ready to go from the start on Sunday.
That news could well send shivers down the spines of United supporters, as Foden netted in this season's reverse meeting between the two sides at Old Trafford and notched a hat-trick in the corresponding fixture at the Etihad last term.
Erling Haaland also struck three times during that 6-3 win for City in October 2022 and after his five-goal haul against Luton, he is sure to garner much of United's attention, but that could play into Foden's hands if the England international is, as a result, granted too much time and space in the final third.
Amrabat Could Be In For Tough Afternoon
The injury absences of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia has forced United boss Ten Hag to find alternative solutions at left back, with Victor Lindelof and Sofyan Amrabat having both filled that void over recent weeks.
Midfielder Amrabat was handed the left-back responsibilities in United's midweek FA Cup win at Nottingham Forest and although he helped his side to a clean-sheet, he didn't exactly look at home in unfamiliar surroundings.
If the Moroccan international keeps his place at left-back on Sunday then he will have the likes of Foden, Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker as direct opponents, something that is not ideal even for the most experienced of full-backs.
This could prove a tough day at the office for Amrabat, who has been booked six times in just 13 starts for United. Another card could be on his way this weekend.
