That moment when the two enemies appear on the field, and all you can in the calm before the storm is the noise of their rivalry filling the empty space. That is what happens when Pep Guardiola and José Mourinho are within a few metres of grass from one another. Although this time, there is something new.
MANCHESTER UNITED v MANCHESTER CITY - Draw First Half @2.10
Let's try not to derive too much meaning from this encounter. It's just too early, not only in the season as a while, but also the new managers' Mancunian history, to take any sign as symbolic of either's spell in their new surroundings. Both stories of José and Pep in the north west of England are unwritten, not even in progress, so it's impossible to take out any judgment from this game as definitive.
All in all it has always been like that at any first chapter of the different acts in their history: the first big game never truly represented anything. It will be the 17th meeting between the coaches: so far Guardiola has 7 wins, Mourinho has 3, with 6 draws. In truth Mourinho's wins were always crucial to getting a trophy, while Guardiola piled up more victories in games that counted for less. But what is new is that this time around, for the first time in their history, the two managers are at a time in their careers when their status' as demigods are being questioned. Nobody doubts their excellence, obviously; but the feeling that either are infallible has been lost. Guardiola hasn't won any of the last 4 Champions Leagues while Mourinho is without the Europe's most prestigious silverware in the last 6.
However, before taking Europe they must first conquer England, and Manchester even before that. To do so, Mourinho can line-up with a couple of unmatchable gladiators, while Guardiola will count on the unmatched movements of his squad. This is, most of all, the game of Ibrahimovic. Consider this: Ibra has not been decisive in a game where the odds haven't been quite so even in the last 4 years, since Milan-Arsenal in 2012. It's even longer in a league game, back in the Milan derby of November 2010. In this time maybe the only exception was the first leg of the last Champions League quarter-final against a certain Manchester City.
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Guardiola, meanwhile, can't count on Aguero, and it is a bleeding wound. Manchester City will obviously approach the game in Pep's style, while United will aim to keep them far from their box by trying push higher and press, making the most of stealing possession to strike. It will be a 4-2-3-1 from Mourinho, with Pogba taking care of David Silva and Ibrahimovic targetting Otamendi, while Guardiola has opted for a 4-1-4-1 so far, trying to penetrate with Nolito cutting around Valencia, using the space made by either Sané or Iheanacho.
But Mourinho will be patient because, as the WhoScored match forecast predicts, it is 'likely' that Manchester United 'will create many scoring chances' and 'score as a result of an opposition error'. For me, the safe bet would be to pick the daw at half-time, @2.10 with Bet365.
It is important to state one thing for the record: the odds have Mourinho to win at 2.25, and Guardiola to do so at 3.50. In the history of their encounters, Mourinho has NEVER had odds so clearly favouring his side.
LIVERPOOL v LEICESTER - Draw (Liverpool -1) @3.60
Liverpool's debut at home this season hasn't come until the fourth game due to stadium redevelopment at Anfield. The fans' eagerness to return to home turf should be motivation enough to overcome a Leicester side still looking to find the same rhythm of last season, although Liverpool too are experiencing problems at the back, so it's difficult to see them winning by more than the odd goal.
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SCHALKE v BAYERN MUNICH - Both Teams To Score @1.95
This is supposed to be the second hardest game for Bayern in the whole season, after Der Klassiker in Dortmund. Nevertheless, Schalke still seem to need time to express their potential. Their disappointing defeat in Frankfurt has left Markus Weinzierl's side in need of a reaction and while it may not be enough to win, they should at least have a push from the fans to enable them to come out and try to hurt the Bavarians.
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LILLE v MONACO - Both Teams To Score @2.05
This could be one of most interesting duels in Ligue 1 this season. Everybody is curious to see if Monaco can be a consistent threat to PSG, and Lille are an intriguing project with no pressure, ending last season in fantastic form. According to the WhoScored match forecast it is 'very likely' that Monaco will make a comeback if they go behind.
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CELTA VIGO v ATLETICO - Draw First Half-Atletico Second Half @4.00
It's been a false start for both of these sides, although obviously Atletico's is heavier to bear. Simeone won't tolerate this situation any longer, but Celta will be even more determined to try to fix what went wrong in their first 2 games. Combining the games both teams have already played so far, there were only 6 goals scored across 4 matches.
Who will your money be on this weekend? Let us know in the comments below
