King of Stats: Numbers indicate close fought Manchester derby

The Premier League title race once again looks set to consist of the Manchester clubs and this weekend’s clash between the red and blue halves of the city will no doubt have a huge impact on where the trophy ends up in May.

Manchester City have home advantage for the first meeting of the season and have to be fancied, but it’d take a brave man to rule out Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. With the game finely poised, the King of Stats has weighed in to help you decide where the money is going to be made.

37 – City have avoided defeat in this number of Premier League home matches, winning an incredible 33 of them. This surely makes their price of 5/4 to win the match worth a bet.

7 – Of the last 10 renewals, one goal has been the margin of victory on seven occasions. Four of City’s last seven, as well as five of Man United’s last six Premier League wins have also been settled by the solitary goal so expect a tight one at the Etihad – back City to edge by a single goal at 13/4, while United are 17/4 shots to achieve the same feat.

12 – The last 11 Manchester derbies have resulted in 12 goals scored in the final 15 minutes of play. Unsurprisingly, United claim the spoils in this particular duel though with seven and, in addition, they’ve hit six in the last quarter of an hour of their 15 league games this term. A price of 5/6 says they’ll be a goal scored in the final 15 minutes when they meet next.

5 – Five of the last six Manchester derbies contested at City have churned out 1-0 wins. Three have fallen in the Red Devils’ favour and they can be backed at a beefy 14/1 to make it four at the weekend.

7 – United have made a habit of going a goal down both at home and abroad this season. In seven Premier League games they have gone behind yet ended up victorious and a price of 10/1 says they’ll do it again here. However, City have won all but one of the league games in which they’ve broken the deadlock meaning United would be best served kicking their bad habit for this clash.

8 – Wayne Rooney has enjoyed this fixture throughout his United career having bagged eight in 15 starts. Prolific wouldn’t be an adjective used to describe his season to date though; he’s scored just four goals in 11 league games and these came across two matches. A price of 11/5 is available for him to find his scoring touch on derby day.

21 – Since the start of last season, City and United have amassed 21 penalties each making them the joint-highest spot-kick earners in that time, with Roberto Mancini’s men being handed an incredible 20 of theirs at the Etihad.

16 – Early February was the last time United drew a Premier League match; a total of 16 games have elapsed since their last domestic stalemate. A price of 11/5 says this run will come to an end at the Etihad which is, incidentally, the same price for an away win.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date