A supercomputer prediction for Sunday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford has installed City as the favourites to scoop all three points and the local bragging rights.
United and City will go toe-to-toe for the first time this season, with the sides currently separated by six points in the latter’s favour in the table. City, at the time of writing, are second in the standings on 21 points, whereas United are eighth on 15 points.
Both sides, however, will head into the contest with back-to-back wins under their belts following the recent restart after the international break. United built on last weekend’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United with a 1-0 victory over FC Copenhagen in the Champions League in midweek, while City defeated BSC Young Boys 3-1 on Wednesday night, four days after edging past Brighton & Hove Albion, winning 2-1.
Though United have won each of their last three in all competitions, their performances have left a lot to be desired, meaning they need to raise their game for the visit of their neighbours. City, meanwhile, are still yet to hit top gear this term.
Nevertheless, the Blues have been named as the pre-derby favourites, with a BetVictor supercomputer giving them a 47.7 per cent chance of scooping all three points. They won two of the three derby meetings last season, but their defeat did come at Old Trafford.
United, by contrast, have been given a 25.6 per cent chance of winning, while a draw has a 26.7 per cent chance of coming to fruition. The December 2020 meeting at Old Trafford produced the last stalemate in this fixture, with neither side able to score in what was a behind-closed-doors contest.
Meanwhile, the supercomputer, calculating potential outcomes for the rest of the season’s fixtures, has predicted how the Premier League table could look come the end of the campaign. It is backing City to retain the title, giving them a 63.6 per cent chance of adding another league crown to their ever-growing collection.
As for United, the outlook is not quite so positive, with Erik ten Hag’s side currently being tipped to finish in eighth. They have been given just a 5.4 per cent chance of finishing in the top four.
