Predicting the Final Score Of Manchester City vs. Manchester United in EPL Week 10

By Douglas Smith @DFresh39 on October 27, 2014

Week 10 in the English Premier League will include the Manchester Derby from Etihad Stadium. Manchester City comes off a 2-1 loss to West Ham while Manchester United had one of their better performances of the season in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea. United has the lead in the overall series, but City have had the most luck of late. Recent trends should continue on Sunday.

Manchester United is unbeaten over its last four games, but has not won since October 5. They do have 11 points in their last six games, but are 0-3-1 in their last four games away from Old Trafford. Obviously they will still have support in the rival stadium, but it is hard to ignore their form away from home. Of course facing Chelsea this past week was a great test before heading into the hostile, although neighboring arena.

Manchester United is averaging just over 11 shots per match with most of their goals coming before the 60th minute. They are giving up about 1.5 goals per game with most coming in that same time frame in the first hour. Over half of those conceded goals have come as penalty kicks or right around the top of the box. They will have to sure up their defense in that area as City can be devastating at the beginning of the 18-yard box.

City did not lose two in a row all of last season and they will want to rebound from a sub-par effort. They have also gained 11 points from their last six games, although their home form has not been convincing. The last time at the Etihad, they did beat Tottenham 4-1. However, they also fell to Stoke 1-0 at home earlier this season.

City are scoring the majority of their goals after the 70th minute while accumulating a plus-nine goal differential. Approximately 40 percent of their shots are coming from the top of the box. Defensively they are averaging 1.11 goals against on the season, but have given up 29 percent of the goals against in the last 10 minutes of regulation.

The teams have yet to play this year, but City took both games last year by a combined score of 7-1. It should be an offensive game as both teams play to their strengths. Angel Di Maria and Sergio Agüero will be featured. United is still trying to find consistency while City are trying to keep pace with Chelsea. The odds makers are favoring a 1-1 draw, but the stats on scoring late will hold true.

Prediction: Manchester City 2-1

Douglas Smith is a soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DFresh39, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

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