**Manchester City face Manchester United this weekend in what could already be described as a must-win game for the Cityzens.**
Indeed, after losing two of their first three matches, Manchester City have very little margin for error already if they want to remain in the title race.
City are already six points behind Liverpool, and if that stretches to nine points on Sunday, Pep Guardiola’s side could potentially already be discounted as potential champions.
[City have been tipped to win the league by some](https://www.manchestercity.news/ashley-cole-predicts-who-he-thinks-will-win-the-premier-league-arsenal-man-city-or-liverpool/), but they’re off the pace at the moment.
A derby win could be the perfect way to ignite City’s season, and writing in his column for the BBC, Chris Sutton has now predicted the result of this game.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Sutton shared his verdict on how this game will go.
The pundit says that he thinks Bryan Mbeumo will cause problems for City, but, ultimately, he does fancy Pep Guardiola’s side to get the job done and win here.
“I can see Bryan Mbeumo hurting City, with United counter-attacking and him being a thorn in their backline chasing balls in behind. I am also not as convinced by City if James Trafford keeps his place in goal,” Sutton wrote.
“So, I think United will definitely score, but I still cannot go against City at Etihad Stadium because we know they will create chances there.
“It is a massive week for them, with Napoli visiting in the Champions League on Thursday before they head to Arsenal next weekend, and of course people are going to judge them on these results. After losing two of their first three league games, this week could decide if they are in the title race, or if they are ruled out of it.
“I don’t want to keep bringing up the goalkeeper but City’s chances of getting the results they need will definitely be improved if new signing Gianluigi Donnarumma is in goal because right now they need a big presence there, and Trafford doesn’t give them that.
“The same position is a huge call for United boss Ruben Amorim on Sunday too, but in a totally different way.
“United signed Senne Lammens ahead of Villa’s Emi Martinez, who has definitely got the kind of presence that brings confidence to his defence the same way Donnarumma does.
“We know Lammens has got these amazing save statistics, but there is much more to being Manchester United’s goalkeeper than that. As Rory Smith basically said on the Monday Night Club, they don’t count for much anyway, because he has been playing in the Belgian league and they are rubbish at shooting.
“Joking aside, what we don’t know at the moment is much about Lammens’ character or how he will adapt to the Premier League.
“Is he ready to be United’s keeper or not? If Amorim picks Altay Bayindir over him against City, then people are going to scrutinise that decision and ask why on earth he didn’t put Lammens in straight away if he rates him so highly.”
Sutton fancies Manchester City to win the derby, and, it’s easy to understand why.
Indeed, while United are actually above City in the league at the moment, there has been a gulf between these two sides for years at this point.
It’s been over 12 years since United finished above City in the league, and Pep Guardiola also has a winning record against United in his career.
Pep Guardiola’s record vs Manchester United
Games
29
Wins
16
Draws
4
Losses
9
More often than not, Guardiola has got a result against United when he’s faced off against the Red Devils, and he’ll be hoping to continue that run this weekend.