Date of Tips: 13/01/2026
Disclaimer The odds for these selections were correct at the time of publishing (15:35 13/01/2026) but may have changed since. Please check the latest price before placing your bet.
Manchester United FC
v Manchester City FC 
Old Trafford
Premier League Matchday 22 
17-01-2026 12:30
Man United Form
Man City Form
Saturday lunchtime at Old Trafford. January 17th. United are still trying to find their feet after a change in the dugout, while City arrive knowing they can’t afford many more slip-ups. It’s the kind of derby where form doesn’t tend to carry much weight. This Man Utd vs Man City prediction looks at team news, likely lineups, and how these two match up right now, before landing on the betting angles for this fixture.
United come into this one in a strange place. Ruben Amorim is gone, and Darren Fletcher has stepped in as interim boss. Fletcher knows the club inside out, but managing a Premier League derby is a different kind of pressure. He’s leaning on experience where he can and trusting the younger lads to play without fear.
Bruno Fernandes is still the heartbeat here. He’ll take most set-pieces, free-kicks around the box, and he’s usually first in line if a penalty comes United’s way. Benjamin Šeško is another big talking point. Still young, still learning the league, but physically ready for these moments. If United are going to hurt City, it probably starts with him running channels and keeping defenders busy.
Luke Shaw at the back brings experience in these fixtures, while Casemiro will sit deep, trying to slow things down. Kobbie Mainoo’s return gives United legs in midfield, which they badly need in games like this. Matthijs de Ligt remains a doubt.
City look more settled on paper, even if results haven’t always flowed. Pep Guardiola is still Pep. Same ideas, same demands. City dominate the ball, and they expect to control games, even away from home. Erling Haaland leads the line and remains the main threat. He’s City’s penalty taker and the focal point of everything in the final third. Stop him, and you’ve done half the job. Easier said than done.
Bernardo Silva handles a lot of City’s dead-ball situations when he’s on the pitch, especially corners and indirect free-kicks. Phil Foden floats between the lines, while Jeremy Doku adds raw pace out wide. City do have a few absentees, especially in defence, which slightly changes how brave they can be at the back.
Manchester United (4-2-3-1)
Lammens; Dalot, Heaven, Martínez, Shaw; Ugarte, Casemiro; Cunha, Fernandes (c), Dorgu; Šeško
Subs: Bayindir, Maguire, Mount, Zirkzee, Malacia, Yoro, Mainoo, Fletcher, Lacey
Brentford (4-3-3)
Kelleher; Kayode, Ajer, Collins (c), Henry; Yarmoliuk, Janelt, Jensen; Lewis-Potter, Thiago, Schade
Subs: Valdimarsson, Hickey, van den Berg, Pinnock, Henderson, Nelson, Damsgaard, Peart-Harris, Donovan
This derby has changed over the years. United used to dictate. Now they react more. City arrive expecting to have the ball, slow the tempo, and squeeze the life out of the crowd.
At Old Trafford, that crowd can still swing things. One goal, and suddenly the game will feel different. United don’t need to be perfect. They need to be brave and put City on the back foot. City, on the other hand, need patience. If they rush it, they play into United’s hands.
This feels like a game where timing matters more than dominance. Expect a cautious start, flashes of quality, and momentum swinging back and forth rather than one team taking full control.
In today’s football tips, both teams to score could be a top pick given the attacking talent on the pitch, while a quieter first half wouldn’t be a shock with so much at stake.
Cards can come into play too. These games get heated, especially in midfield.
This has draw written all over it. United are still rebuilding under an interim boss. City are strong but not totally ruthless right now. Neither side will want to lose. Expect long spells of tension, flashes of quality, and both managers protecting the point if things get tight late on.
Match Prediction: Draw. Bet with bet365.
A low-scoring draw makes sense here. Both teams have quality, but neither looks ready to completely dominate the other over 90 minutes. One goal each feels about right.
Correct Score Prediction: Man Utd 1-1 Man City. Bet with bet365.
This doesn’t scream goal-fest. Derby nerves and tactical caution, with respect on both sides points toward a controlled game rather than chaos. Under 3.5 as a safer option.
Over/Under Prediction: Under 3.5 Goals. Bet with bet365.
Think along the lines of both teams finding the net, plenty of midfield battles, and no runaway winner. Keep it sensible. This fixture often rewards patience.
Bet Builder Tip: Both teams to scor, under 3.5 goals, and over 3.5 cards to be shown. Bet with bet365.
Key Stats
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Visit our football previews & predictions page for more betting tips on upcoming matches.
Neither side looks far enough ahead of the other. A draw feels most likely.
Kick-off is at 12:30 UK time.
The match takes place at Old Trafford in Manchester.
A 1-1 draw fits the balance of the game.
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