Mark Lawrenson states his prediction for Man United v Man City
BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson is backing Manchester City to secure a comfortable win at Manchester United on Wednesday night
Mark Lawrenson is tipping Manchester City to pick Manchester United off on the break in a comfortable 2-0 win for the defending champions in the derby at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
The Citizens were 1-0 winners against Tottenham Hotspur at The Etihad on Saturday lunchtime in what was a tense affair between the top-four rivals, who were only separated by Phil Foden’s fourth-minute goal.
Manchester United continued their wretched form under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer by losing 4-0 to Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday in their heaviest Premier League defeat since a 4-0 loss to Chelsea FC in October 2016.
The Red Devils boss will be hoping his players can raise their performance for the derby clash, especially with a top-four finish still up for grabs after Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea FC all dropped points in the most recent round of fixtures.
Manchester United can dent Manchester City’s title hopes gives that the Citizens need to win the derby to reclaim top spot from Liverpool FC in the Premier League title race.
But former Liverpool FC defender Lawrenson can’t see past a straightforward Manchester City win at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
“I think United will play on the break too, because that is almost the only way they can play at the moment. However, I don’t see it working for them,” Lawrenson told BBC Sport.
“This is a lot like a Champions League game in terms of the quality of the opposition for United and we saw in their home games against Paris St-Germain and Barcelona how they could not get the ball, and without it they could not do anything.
“That is the way I see Wednesday going, with City dominating possession, creating more chances – and picking United off.”
Manchester City crashed out of the Champions League last week after Tottenham’s 4-3 loss at The Etihad was enough to secure Spurs’ place in the semi-finals.
