Man City vs Manchester United prediction and odds: Back Cristiano Ronaldo to come good for United at the Etihad

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It is likely that Man City's lead at the top of the Premier League will have been cut down to just three points by the time the reigning champions walk out to face their neighbours and arch-rivals on Sunday afternoon.

So the pressure is on Pep Guardiola's side to justify their extremely cramped odds of completing a double over United in the Premier League this season. It's a pressure that adds another dimension to a game that, on the face of it, looks particularly one-sided at this moment in time.

Guardiola is in an ideal position in that he doesn't have to think too much about how he juggles his team selection ahead of Wednesday's Champions League game because that tie is effectively done and dusted.

City are 4/9 with Betfred to get the three points they desperately need, while the Reds are as big as 7/1 to cause what would have to be considered an upset at the Etihad.

Pep Guardiola's side never looked in any danger during their 2-0 win at Old Trafford earlier in the season, indeed United could muster just five efforts on goal that day, only one of which was on target.

United continue to stumble through this season despite having had a really soft fixture list in the last couple of months and last weekend's 0-0 draw with Watford was a critical blow in their quest to finish in the top four.

United created enough chances to win two or three games last week - generating an xGF of 2.9 - but, not for the first time this season, they just couldn't convert them into goals.

It's been a major Achilles Heel for Ralf Rangnick's side since the turn of the year but it's reasonable to expect their goal return to increase if they