Mixed injury updates for table topping Manchester Clubs ahead of indifferent weekend Premier League ties

League leaders Manchester City and Manchester United, two fierce rivals and neighbours have received varying injury news on key players ahead of their weekend league ties. United have a trip to St. Mary’s to face Southampton while City is at home to bottom side Crystal Palace.

United’s English left back Luke Shaw has made full recovery and is back in the side. He is in contention for a place to face his former side. Shaw has not played a full competitive since April when he suffered a ligament damaged during league match against Swansea City.

The speedy defender played over 30 minutes for United in their midweek Carabao Cup 4-1 win over Burton Albion on. United manager Jose Mourinho has had to make do with a makeshift left sided full back as Shaw has been injury prone since being a victim of a devastating tackle by the then PSV Eindhoven enforcer Hector Moreno in a 2015 UEFA Champions League match.

The Red Devils come into this match unbeaten this season after five matches with the 2-2 draw at Stoke City being the only blemish on their plate. Midfield general Paul Pobga will be an absentee for this one as he is still recovering from a hamstring injury suffered last week against Basel. He has however given an update on social that his return is not too far away.

Striker Romelu Lukaku is enjoying a hot streak at the moment. He has scored seven goals in his seven competitive appearances for United. This is about an average of a goal per game. Lukaku being a goal poacher has been tipped at 7/2 to score first and last whereas Marcus Rashford has been tipped to score first at 4/1. To get enhanced tips on the football action, bet on sports at William Hill Online.

Recent history favours United in this tie. However, the Saints have been able to pull major upsets. They have beaten United twice in the last five league meetings. Charlie Austin, who was on the scoresheet in one of those matches, is tipped at 12/5 to score while striker Manolo Gabbiadini is at 3/1 to find the target.

Returnee Gundogan injured again

High flying Manchester City has an easier task on paper against a distraught Crystal Palace side that is languishing at the tail end of the table. Palace has lost all of its five opening matches and the free scoring City is favoured to win this one.

The bad news out of the City camp is that German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is set another spell on the sidelines after getting injured on Wednesday during a League Cup tie against West Brom Albion. Gundogan had just recently returned to first team action after a nine month spell due to injury.

City manager Pep Guardiola has refuted claims that the injury is serious and expects his star man soon and back to full fitness. Manchester City has been tipped 1/7 to win while Palace at 14/1 to get the three points. Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero have shown that they indeed can effectively play together. They have both been tipped to score first at 13/5.

This tie has been a happy hunting ground for City having won 13 of the last 14 meetings dating back to 2004. It is certainly still early days in the league but the two Manchester clubs are already displaying championship pedigree and at the moment are toe to toe at the top of the chain.