Derby 1, Manchester Derby
Man Untd vs Man City (8.30pm)
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United's Anthony Martial is fit again after missing the midweek Champions League defeat by RB Leipzig with a minor injury.
Fellow forward Edinson Cavani, who also did not travel for that game, will be assessed.
Manchester City's Sergio Aguero will be on the bench after making a scoring return in Europe in midweek.
Ilkay Gundogan, who picked up a knock in that Champions League match, trained on Friday but Eric Garcia is out.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Guy Mowbray: The league table doesn't lie, but it might not tell the full story.
United start the derby above City and could be in the top four with a game in hand by next week. Not bad for a team that's making hard work of too many games this season and has just spectacularly crashed out of the Champions League.
They've come from behind in five of their six Premier League wins. Maybe the stress helps them to switch on and perform? Whatever. It's not sustainable.
By contrast, City look to have put early-season stresses and errors behind them.
They're currently on a run of five clean sheets in a row and have only conceded in two of their past 10 matches. Perhaps tellingly they were the biggest two, against Spurs and Liverpool.
It's the 183rd Manchester derby, and hopefully the only one that will ever be played without fans. If United go behind again, the relative quiet might briefly be a blessing for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Manchester United look so uncomfortable defensively that it is hard to have much faith in them at the moment.
Their Champions League exit just heaps the pressure on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer because, for all the spirit his side have shown with their comebacks in different games this season, to not be getting any more revenue from that competition in a season like this one is a massive blow to the club.
The last thing United need is to follow that with a home defeat by City, but that's what I'm going for. Pep Guardiola's side have only lost one of their past 15 games and they have started to score goals again too.
Prediction: 0-2
Lawro's full predictions v Lonely The Brave drummer Mo Edgeley
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
We simulated Manchester United vs Man City to get a score prediction
As you would expect, City dominated possession in our FIFA 21 simulation, but the game followed a familiar pattern to what we've seen in the last few games between these two sides in real-life.
Guardiola's side were having all of the ball but weren't really creating any chances, as United were looking pretty solid at the back, and dangerous on the counter-attack.
And in the 23rd minute, Rashford put United in front after a rapid counter-attacking move.
Bruno Fernandes received the ball in midfield and played a wonderful through ball into the path of Rashford, who outpaced John Stones and fired past Ederson to make it 1-0.
Marcus Rashford put United 1-0 up in our FIFA 21 simulation. Related Articles
But 12 minutes later, City were level thanks to a counter-attack of their own. Raheem Sterling managed to get the better of Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the left, with the winger putting in a cross into the box, where Ilkay Gundogan was waiting unmarked to volley home.
Ilkay Gundogan made it 1-1 in our FIFA 21 simulation.
In the second-half, City were even more dominant with their possession but apart from a handful of long-range efforts, weren't really testing David De Gea too much.
Just before the hour mark, United went back into the lead once again, with Bruno Fernandes scoring after another swift counter-attack.
It was Anthony Martial this time, who outpaced Ruben Dias and played a pass into Fernandes on the left, with the Portugal midfielder then producing a powerful finish past Ederson at the near post.
Bruno Fernandes scored the winner for United in our FIFA 21 simulation.
Despite City's best efforts in the final stages, United held on for yet another victory over their local rivals.
Predicted FIFA 21 score: Man United 2-1 Man City
Here are the full time stats.
FIFA 21 sim full match stats
City dominated possession, but United created more chances and ultimately, deserved their tight win at Old Trafford in our simulated game.
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Derby 2, Madrid Derby
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid (11pm)
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane says table-topping Atletico Madrid should "definitely" be considered as favourites to win La Liga this season.
The city rivals meet in the league on Saturday (20:00 GMT), with Diego Simeone's side unbeaten after 10 games and six points clear of champions Real.
Both sides progressed to the last 16 of the Champions League in midweek.
"We won the league last year and we want to defend our crown and we will do that until the end," said Zidane.
"We want to win every game and especially this one as it's a big game."
But asked if Atletico should be classed as the team to beat, Zidane replied: "Yes, definitely, they should. That is what they are showing on the pitch.
"They are top of the table and they've always been a competitive outfit in that sense. We know them well."
Real welcomed back captain Sergio Ramos in Wednesday's Champions League victory over Borussia Monchengladbach, while Zidane said that midfielder Federico Valverde and full-back Dani Carvajal will also be in contention for a return.
However, they remain without attacking trio Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic and Mariano Diaz, as well as midfielder Martin Odegaard.
Atletico defenders Jose Gimenez and Manu Sanchez, as well as striker Diego Costa will be missing through injury.
Zidane will face Simeone for the 12th time as manager
Real Madrid are unbeaten against Atletico in the league since February 2016, though, and have been victorious in two of their last three meetings in Spain's top flight. Los Blancos will not win or lose the title this weekend, but a defeat would leave Atletico full of confidence and in a very strong position in the table.
Atletico are absolutely flying in Spain's top flight, having recorded seven straight victories, including a 1-0 win over Barcelona at the Wanda Metropolitano on November 21. Simeone's side have actually won their last four in the league without conceding a single goal, which is an indication of their credentials.
The Red and Whites are only one point clear of second-placed Real Sociedad at the summit but have two games in hand over the Basque club, while they have one game in hand over fourth-placed Real Madrid and boast a six-point advantage over Zidane's team.
Atletico have incredibly not lost in La Liga since a 1-0 defeat at Real Madrid on February 1, which is a staggering run of form. The capital giants are seen by many as the favourites for the title this season, and it is difficult to argue due to the problems that their bitter rivals and Barcelona undoubtedly have.
Simeone's team have four league matches between now and the end of the year, hosting Elche next weekend before a difficult trip to high-flying Sociedad on December 22. Atletico will then finish 2020 at home to Getafe and will be looking to keep their place at the summit heading into 2021.
Not since 2013-14 have Atletico managed to lift the La Liga title, finishing third on four occasions and claiming second twice in the six seasons since. It does appear that the team's title challenge will again be built on a strong defence, having conceded just twice in 10 matches thus far.
That said, Simeone's team have the second-best attacking record in La Liga this season with 21 goals, with Luis Suarez and Joao Felix already managing 10 between them in Spain's top flight.
Atletico have not actually beaten Real Madrid in the league since February 2016, but they have only lost on one of their last seven league visits to their bitter rivals and will likely view a point as a positive result considering the position of the two teams in the table.
Head To Head
The two teams have locked horns on 166 occasions in Spain's top flight, and Real Madrid lead the head-to-head 88 wins to Atletico's 39, with the remaining 39 matches finishing all square.
As mentioned, Real Madrid have won two of their last three league meetings, while Atletico have not been victorious since February 2016. Draws have been a common theme in recent years, though, with four of their last seven meetings in Spain's top flight finishing as draws.
Real Madrid have only beaten Atletico in the league on home soil once since December 2012, while the pair played out a goalless draw at the Wanda Metropolitano last season.
www.sportsmole.co.uk
Man Untd vs Man City (8.30pm)
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United's Anthony Martial is fit again after missing the midweek Champions League defeat by RB Leipzig with a minor injury.
Fellow forward Edinson Cavani, who also did not travel for that game, will be assessed.
Manchester City's Sergio Aguero will be on the bench after making a scoring return in Europe in midweek.
Ilkay Gundogan, who picked up a knock in that Champions League match, trained on Friday but Eric Garcia is out.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Guy Mowbray: The league table doesn't lie, but it might not tell the full story.
United start the derby above City and could be in the top four with a game in hand by next week. Not bad for a team that's making hard work of too many games this season and has just spectacularly crashed out of the Champions League.
They've come from behind in five of their six Premier League wins. Maybe the stress helps them to switch on and perform? Whatever. It's not sustainable.
By contrast, City look to have put early-season stresses and errors behind them.
They're currently on a run of five clean sheets in a row and have only conceded in two of their past 10 matches. Perhaps tellingly they were the biggest two, against Spurs and Liverpool.
It's the 183rd Manchester derby, and hopefully the only one that will ever be played without fans. If United go behind again, the relative quiet might briefly be a blessing for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Manchester United look so uncomfortable defensively that it is hard to have much faith in them at the moment.
Their Champions League exit just heaps the pressure on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer because, for all the spirit his side have shown with their comebacks in different games this season, to not be getting any more revenue from that competition in a season like this one is a massive blow to the club.
The last thing United need is to follow that with a home defeat by City, but that's what I'm going for. Pep Guardiola's side have only lost one of their past 15 games and they have started to score goals again too.
Prediction: 0-2
Lawro's full predictions v Lonely The Brave drummer Mo Edgeley
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Manchester United won three of the four meetings last season, including doing the Premier League double over their neighbours for the first time in a decade.
- The Red Devils could win three consecutive Manchester derbies in all competitions for the first time since 2009.
- Six of the past eight Manchester derbies in all competitions have been won by the away team, while there have only been three home wins in 13.
- Manchester City have won seven Premier League away games at Old Trafford, more than any other visiting side.
- There have been 150 top-flight Manchester derbies - United have won 58 and City 45, with 47 draws.
- United could win five consecutive league matches for the first time since they won Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first six in charge between December 2018 and January 2019.
- Four of Manchester United's 19 league points have come at home this season, along with only three of their 19 goals. They have conceded 10 league goals at Old Trafford.
- United can lose at least four of their opening six home league fixtures for just the second time, having suffered five defeats in 1930-31.
- They have only twice lost more than three Premier League home games in an entire season: 2001-02 and 2013-14.
- Manchester United have won a league-high 15 points from losing positions this season - but all these comebacks have come away from home,
- Bruno Fernandes has been involved in more Premier League goals than any other player since his United debut in February, scoring 15 and contributing 11 assists in just 24 games.
- City are looking to win three league matches in a row for the first time this season.
- They scored seven goals without reply in their previous two league games.
- Pep Guardiola's side haven't kept three clean sheets in a row in the league since May 2019.
- Manchester City dropped points in seven of their past 12 Premier League away fixtures (W5, D2, L5).
- They have lost six of their past eight away league fixtures against other established top-six sides, including each of the last four.
- Raheem Sterling has never scored in 16 Premier League appearances against Manchester United.
- The most recent English player to score in a Premier League Manchester derby for City was James Milner in 2013.
We simulated Manchester United vs Man City to get a score prediction
As you would expect, City dominated possession in our FIFA 21 simulation, but the game followed a familiar pattern to what we've seen in the last few games between these two sides in real-life.
Guardiola's side were having all of the ball but weren't really creating any chances, as United were looking pretty solid at the back, and dangerous on the counter-attack.
And in the 23rd minute, Rashford put United in front after a rapid counter-attacking move.
Bruno Fernandes received the ball in midfield and played a wonderful through ball into the path of Rashford, who outpaced John Stones and fired past Ederson to make it 1-0.
Marcus Rashford put United 1-0 up in our FIFA 21 simulation. Related Articles
But 12 minutes later, City were level thanks to a counter-attack of their own. Raheem Sterling managed to get the better of Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the left, with the winger putting in a cross into the box, where Ilkay Gundogan was waiting unmarked to volley home.
Ilkay Gundogan made it 1-1 in our FIFA 21 simulation.
In the second-half, City were even more dominant with their possession but apart from a handful of long-range efforts, weren't really testing David De Gea too much.
Just before the hour mark, United went back into the lead once again, with Bruno Fernandes scoring after another swift counter-attack.
It was Anthony Martial this time, who outpaced Ruben Dias and played a pass into Fernandes on the left, with the Portugal midfielder then producing a powerful finish past Ederson at the near post.
Bruno Fernandes scored the winner for United in our FIFA 21 simulation.
Despite City's best efforts in the final stages, United held on for yet another victory over their local rivals.
Predicted FIFA 21 score: Man United 2-1 Man City
Here are the full time stats.
FIFA 21 sim full match stats
City dominated possession, but United created more chances and ultimately, deserved their tight win at Old Trafford in our simulated game.
We simulated Manchester United vs Man City to get a score prediction
Manchester United host Man City in the Manchester derby on Saturday.
Derby 2, Madrid Derby
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid (11pm)
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane says table-topping Atletico Madrid should "definitely" be considered as favourites to win La Liga this season.
The city rivals meet in the league on Saturday (20:00 GMT), with Diego Simeone's side unbeaten after 10 games and six points clear of champions Real.
Both sides progressed to the last 16 of the Champions League in midweek.
"We won the league last year and we want to defend our crown and we will do that until the end," said Zidane.
"We want to win every game and especially this one as it's a big game."
But asked if Atletico should be classed as the team to beat, Zidane replied: "Yes, definitely, they should. That is what they are showing on the pitch.
"They are top of the table and they've always been a competitive outfit in that sense. We know them well."
Real welcomed back captain Sergio Ramos in Wednesday's Champions League victory over Borussia Monchengladbach, while Zidane said that midfielder Federico Valverde and full-back Dani Carvajal will also be in contention for a return.
However, they remain without attacking trio Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic and Mariano Diaz, as well as midfielder Martin Odegaard.
Atletico defenders Jose Gimenez and Manu Sanchez, as well as striker Diego Costa will be missing through injury.
Zidane will face Simeone for the 12th time as manager
Real Madrid are unbeaten against Atletico in the league since February 2016, though, and have been victorious in two of their last three meetings in Spain's top flight. Los Blancos will not win or lose the title this weekend, but a defeat would leave Atletico full of confidence and in a very strong position in the table.
Atletico are absolutely flying in Spain's top flight, having recorded seven straight victories, including a 1-0 win over Barcelona at the Wanda Metropolitano on November 21. Simeone's side have actually won their last four in the league without conceding a single goal, which is an indication of their credentials.
The Red and Whites are only one point clear of second-placed Real Sociedad at the summit but have two games in hand over the Basque club, while they have one game in hand over fourth-placed Real Madrid and boast a six-point advantage over Zidane's team.
Atletico have incredibly not lost in La Liga since a 1-0 defeat at Real Madrid on February 1, which is a staggering run of form. The capital giants are seen by many as the favourites for the title this season, and it is difficult to argue due to the problems that their bitter rivals and Barcelona undoubtedly have.
Simeone's team have four league matches between now and the end of the year, hosting Elche next weekend before a difficult trip to high-flying Sociedad on December 22. Atletico will then finish 2020 at home to Getafe and will be looking to keep their place at the summit heading into 2021.
Not since 2013-14 have Atletico managed to lift the La Liga title, finishing third on four occasions and claiming second twice in the six seasons since. It does appear that the team's title challenge will again be built on a strong defence, having conceded just twice in 10 matches thus far.
That said, Simeone's team have the second-best attacking record in La Liga this season with 21 goals, with Luis Suarez and Joao Felix already managing 10 between them in Spain's top flight.
Atletico have not actually beaten Real Madrid in the league since February 2016, but they have only lost on one of their last seven league visits to their bitter rivals and will likely view a point as a positive result considering the position of the two teams in the table.
Head To Head
The two teams have locked horns on 166 occasions in Spain's top flight, and Real Madrid lead the head-to-head 88 wins to Atletico's 39, with the remaining 39 matches finishing all square.
As mentioned, Real Madrid have won two of their last three league meetings, while Atletico have not been victorious since February 2016. Draws have been a common theme in recent years, though, with four of their last seven meetings in Spain's top flight finishing as draws.
Real Madrid have only beaten Atletico in the league on home soil once since December 2012, while the pair played out a goalless draw at the Wanda Metropolitano last season.
Preview: Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid - prediction, team news, lineups
Sports Mole previews Saturday's La Liga clash between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
