The Manchester derby is always a very significant game of football and the one we are going to watch on Wednesday is perhaps even bigger than those we have seen in the past. City head across to face United at Old Trafford with four games to play in their league campaign and the league title in their own hands. Although they are currently second in the table, if they win all four games remaining then no one can catch them.

United have a battle of their own, and one they are currently losing. That is to get into the top four, something that looked highly unlikely when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over, but he dragged them into the race while he was their temporary manager. However, since taking the job on a full time basis, United have gone back to struggling, and they are now down in 6th, three points away from a top four spot. Just like City, United also have four games to go, and the next two are the most important, with this game taking place on Wednesday, and then a trip to Chelsea on Sunday, who are in 4th right now.

When these two usually meet, we always find them in a position where they are challenging for something, that is the nature of games between top teams. However, this time around the significance is even greater due to the proximity we are to the end of the season. A win for United would be a massive blow to the title hopes of Manchester City, and just a week after they were knocked out of the Champions League. A win for City would take them over their biggest obstacle from the games left, and it would also make it very tough for United to go on and get into the top four, which was something they looked like doing not too long ago before their poor run.

A Big Summer in Manchester

I think both clubs will face a really important summer in the coming months, and that is regardless of whether City win the league title or not.

Starting off with City, should they lose the league title then I feel things will be even worse for them and they will invest more. I still think they will invest, and that is because the Champions League continues to elude them. City are now in a position where if they go onto win the league title, and even if they win the FA Cup so they win three trophies, that will only be seen as a good season, and not a fantastic one. Should they not win the FA Cup, and only bag the league title and the League Cup, that would actually probably be seen as a very average season, showing the high standards that are now set at the club.

The league title will have an impact on their spending, but even if they manage to win the title, I still think they will spend as they aim for the Champions League once more.

United are sure to have an even busier summer, and just how busy they will be will be determined by how much the board trust Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. I get the feeling he would love a clear out, and to bring in some fresh new talent, something that has been lacking at the club for the past couple of years. He has been very critical of some of the players at the club, and the fans are on his side, they would love nothing more than Ole to mastermind a clear out and turn the club around.

The United board will be key this summer, it will be down to them to decide what funds Ole has and how many players he can change. I don’t think they will let him loose fully, that isn’t really the United way of doing business, so despite the changes it wouldn’t be a surprise to see both Solskjaer and the fans still unhappy with some players in the squad.

I think we will see a lot happen, and already we are seeing United linked to a lot of players. I’m sure Solskjaer would love some of the names we are seeing in the media, but ultimately he can only do what the board allows, and that could prove to be the stumbling block that reins him in a little.

Manchester United vs Manchester City Betting Tips

There has been talk that Manchester United would be happy to lose this game, to prevent their big rivals Liverpool from having the title advantage. I don’t see that happening at all, I think United will go out with a full strength team to try and win the game, regardless of the impact that has on the bigger picture. There is also something else to think about, and that is regardless of what team Manchester United put out, they are going to have to play a lot better than we have seen in recent weeks to trouble Manchester City, and I don’t think they will.

I fancy City to go all out to win this game and keep their league title advantage of Liverpool. Regardless of whether this is a local derby or not, City are by far the better team on paper if both are at their best, and that advantage is even bigger at the moment with how poor United are playing. The loss in the Champions League for City last week should really make them focus on the league title even more and they will be determined to retain their trophy.

City are a very short price to win the Manchester derby, but there is good value by using the handicap line on the game. I am expecting to see goals, and I think City can win by more than one, so instead of backing them to win, I will be backing them to win on the -1 handicap line, where they are a far bigger price.

Expect a big night in Manchester, but for me, City are just too strong and I fancy them to come out on top comfortably, maintaining their title push and making it very difficult for United to get up into the top four.

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