Manchester United v Manchester City: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Manchester City are bidding for a seventh Premier League title in eight seasons in 2024/25 and they are hot favourites to beat FA Cup winners Manchester United in Saturday's Community Shield.

Manchester United v Manchester City betting tips and predictions

Manchester United or draw double chance - 13/10

City beat United 3-0 and 3-1 on their way to a fourth straight Premier League title in 2023/24, but the Red Devils upset the odds in the FA Cup final against their near neighbours.

First-half goals from youngsters Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo set up a well-deserved 2-1 victory for Erik ten Hag's men at Wembley in May.

Neither United nor City will be at full strength for Saturday's Community Shield at the national stadium, but Ten Hag's underdogs are worth backing to avoid defeat in 90 minutes.

United centre-back Leny Yoro, a big-money summer signing from Lille, is injured and striker Rasmus Hojlund is also sidelined for the start of the campaign.

However, the Community Shield is way down the list of priorities for City boss Pep Guardiola, whose side lost on penalties to Arsenal in this fixture last season after a 1-1 draw in normal time.

The Citizens had been beaten 3-1 by Liverpool and 1-0 by Leicester in the previous two Community Shields, so they make limited appeal at 4/7 to overcome United in 90 minutes on Saturday.

Guardiola's starting line-up is likely to be missing some big names. Rodri, player of the tournament at the Euros, as well as England trio Phil Foden, John Stones and Kyle Walker have played no part in City's pre-season fixtures and Kevin De Bruyne may also be rested.

Those absences would close the gap between the Manchester rivals and United, buoyed by their recent cup success, should be competitive back at Wembley.

Bruno Fernandes to be first goalscorer - 12/1

United captain Bruno Fernandes set up Mainoo's goal in the FA Cup final with a delightful pass and the Portugal star finished his 2023/24 club season in excellent scoring form.

Fernandes found the net seven times in his last nine appearances for the Red Devils, including goals against Chelsea and Liverpool in the Premier League and Coventry in a dramatic FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

City striker Erling Haaland, who bagged a hat-trick against Chelsea in his last pre-season outing, is the obvious favourite in the first goalscorer market.

However, the Norwegian ace may be playing in front of some inexperienced creative players if De Bruyne, Foden and Bernardo Silva are rested, so Fernandes, also United's penalty-taker, is an eye-catching price to break the deadlock.

Kalvin Phillips to be booked - 4/1

Oscar Bobb, James McAtee and Rico Lewis are among the City youngsters who could be involved on Saturday and there may even be a rare start for Kalvin Phillips.

A loan move to West Ham failed to revitalise the England midfielder's career, but he has been a regular at centre-back for City in pre-season.

The return to training of Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake means Phillips may return to midfield at Wembley and he is worth backing to be booked in the derby.

The Community Shield is not one of the most intense fixtures on the calendar, but the 28-year-old will be eager to make his mark if he gets an opportunity for the champions.

Phillips was booked in both of his starts for City last season, against Newcastle in the EFL Cup and Crvena Zvezda in the UEFA Champions League.

He was sent off for two bookable offences in West Ham's February defeat at Nottingham Forest and should be in the thick of the midfield battle at Wembley.

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Manchester United v Manchester City odds

Manchester United - 7/2
Draw - 15/4
Manchester City - 4/7

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.