Two struggling Manchester giants headline this weekend’s Premier League action, as Manchester City and Manchester United lock horns at the Etihad in Sunday’s Manchester derby.

Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim will experience his first taste of derby day since taking charge of the 20-time English champions, though he has already orchestrated one triumph over City this season. Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, is facing growing scrutiny after City’s latest setback in Europe, where Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie inspired Juventus to a 2-0 victory. Far from festive cheer, Guardiola is enduring a winter of discontent. City appeared to steady the ship with a 3-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest at home, but their inconsistent form returned in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, where they twice came from behind to salvage a point. Now reeling from their seventh defeat in 10 matches across all competitions — a dismal run that would spell the end for most managers not named Guardiola — City find themselves clinging to fourth place in the Premier League, eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool. Results elsewhere on Saturday could push City out of the top four before the derby. However, there is a glimmer of hope for the Citizens, who have scored three goals in consecutive home games against Feyenoord and Forest. Defensively, City have been woeful, keeping just one clean sheet in their last 10 matches, conceding at least two goals in the other nine, including four in their loss to Amorim’s Sporting Lisbon earlier this season.

While Erling Haaland was nullified by Juventus in midweek, Rasmus Hojlund delivered for Manchester United in their Europa League clash against Viktoria Plzen. The Danish striker’s two goals off the bench rescued United from Andre Onana’s costly error and secured Amorim his second consecutive European win — a feat previously achieved only by Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson in their first two games. The European win offered respite after back-to-back league defeats to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest. Defensive errors, particularly from Onana, have plagued United, leaving them languishing in 13th place in the table.As tensions rise off the field with questions surrounding Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s influence, Amorim could take inspiration from his previous 4-1 victory over City with Sporting. However, United’s away record is uninspiring, with just one win on the road in the league this season and only two in their last 13 away league games. City have won their last three home derbies against United and will aim to extend that streak. A loss would mark three consecutive league defeats for Amorim, a first in his managerial career. City will be without suspended defender Rico Lewis, who scored a dramatic equaliser against Palace. He joins a long list of absentees, including Rodri (ACL), Oscar Bobb (leg), Nathan Ake (thigh), Manuel Akanji (unspecified), and John Stones (foot). Guardiola may be forced to field academy players Jahmai Simpson-Pusey or Josh Wilson-Esbrand in defence, though Mateo Kovacic’s return to fitness offers some midfield relief. In contrast, United’s injury list is minimal, with Luke Shaw (calf) and Jonny Evans (fitness) the only likely absentees. Amorim is expected to make changes, with Hojlund, Mason Mount, and Alejandro Garnacho pushing for starts. Garnacho, in particular, could exploit Kyle Walker’s poor form.

City’s weakened defence and United’s vulnerability on the road set the stage for an entertaining encounter. A repeat of Amorim’s 4-1 triumph with Sporting is improbable, but the Red Devils could exploit City’s frailties to score more than once. However, the hosts’ attacking prowess and United’s midweek exertions should tilt the balance in City’s favor in a high-scoring derby.

Best Tip: 1X

Correct score: 2-1