Man Utd v Man City: Three stats and three bets for Sunday's derby

Man Utd v Man City - Maresca's men are favourites

Enzo Maresca's takes Manchester City to Old Trafford for the first derby of their post-Pep Guardiola era on Sunday and the Betfair Sportsbook match odds say there's a good chance they'll win. Manchester United are 21/103.10, City 21/202.05 and the draw 3/14.00.

If the visitors are victorious, they would end a miserable recent run against United. City have won just one of their last four Premier League Manchester derbies (D1 L2). Last season, in Michael Carrick's first game in charge of United, the Red Devils were 2-0 winners. You can get 14/115.00 on a repeat of that scoreline.

This season, City have won all three of their Premier League matches so far, while United have L1W1D1 in that order. In the process, United conceded two goals in all three league fixtures - two of them against promoted teams Hull and Ipswich.

United blew away Sabah in the Champions League in midweek, winning 4-0, and Carrick will be pleased with the clean sheet. But City have had an extra two days to prepare for the derby and their attack presents a different order of challenge for the hosts' defence.

Compelling arguments can be made for both sides - United's impressive home record under Carrick versus City's impressive start to the season - so here are three Opta stats and related bets, with ways to back either team, depending on who you think has the edge.

Bet#1 - Back United to win a goal-filled game

Manchester United have won nine of their 10 Premier League home games since Michael Carrick took charge in January (L1), scoring at least twice in each victory. They've won their last three at home despite conceding twice each time, last conceding 2+ goals in four straight home league games in January 1972.

Get Opta stats and tips for every Premier League match

Bet#2 - Back 12+ shots on target

Man Utd and Man City (19 each) had the most shots on target across the opening three Premier League matchdays this season, while the Red Devils had the most shots overall (68) and accumulated the second highest xG (7.3). 

Bet#3 - Back Haaland to strike in City win

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has scored eight goals in seven Premier League appearances against Manchester United, although just two of those have come at Old Trafford. Only Mo Salah (13) and Alan Shearer (10) have scored more times against the Red Devils in the 
competition.

Now read Alan Shearer's Man Utd v Man City preview, combined 11 and Haaland prediction