Manchester derby to go goal crazy in the second half

The Manchester derby could start cagily, but the recent trend in the fixture suggests there will be no shortage of goals in the second half.

Six of the past eight matches in all competitions between the sides have seen at least two goals in the second half, with three coming in the last half an hour of United’s 3-2 win at the Etihad last season, including Robin van Persie’s injury-time winner.

Over 1.5 goals in the second half can be backed at 1/1, and over 2.5 is available at 13/4. The latter is clearly a riskier punt, but it would have won in three of the last six meetings between the teams.

There have been at least two second-half goals in four out of City’s five competitive matches this season, with the exception being the goalless draw at Stoke, and there were five goals in the second half of United’s 4-2 win over Leverkusen in the Champions League.

Wayne Rooney scored twice in that game, and having bagged four in his past three trips to the Etihad, the striker is a good bet to find the net this weekend at 5/2.

Both teams are locked together on seven points in the Premier League after mixed starts to their campaign, but new managers Manuel Pellegrini and David Moyes will know that a crucial win in the local derby will swing supporters in their favour.

The home side are 23/20 favourites to win the match, with United 9/4 and the draw priced at 12/5.

Moyes had an excellent record against Man City with Everton, winning nine of his last 12 matches, but he might find an entirely different atmosphere awaits when he takes his United side to the Etihad.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing

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