Already eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, many pundits believe Manchester City will all but secure the title if they beat local rivals and closest challengers United in the Manchester Derby this weekend.
But bookmakers Paddy Power aren't waiting for the top of the table clash before putting their money where their mouth is - paying out on City as Premier League champions this morning.
That pay-out will cost them in excess of £500,000 - even if City go on to squander their dominant position.
Advert
Before the season, the Blues were 15/8 to top the league - but are now 1/9, odds which will only shorten with a victory at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Rivals United, meanwhile, are distant 9/1 second favourites - while City are 22/1 to clinch a treble (Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League), and just 50/1 to win an unprecedented quadruple (as the treble, but with the Carabao Cup).
They're already short odds to score more than 100 goals in the league this season (1/3), to break the Premier League points record of 95 (Evens), and to go unbeaten for the whole campaign (7/1).
Paddy Power brand ambassador and former Manchester United player Paul Ince said: "It's both brave and stupid of Paddy Power to pay out - we're not even half-way through the season yet. It's crazy to rule out Manchester United, and even Chelsea.
Advert
"It's great for those who backed City, of course, but it could all change - and Paddy Power could end up with a lot of very expensive egg on their face."
But the bookies seem confident - at 12/5, United are the biggest price they have been to win a Manchester derby at home since David Moyes' reign of terror in 2014. City went on to win that game 3-0.
Spokesman Paddy Power said: "We hold our hands up, we've fully bought into the hype and can't see who will come close to Pep's lads this season.
"If you ignore the sky blue shirts, empty seats and Manc accents, being at the Etihad feels like watching a Guardiola Barcelona side. So we're rewarding the shrewd punters that knew they'd walk it this year.
Advert
"Then again, if some of our previous pay-outs are anything to go by, Jose Mourinho can rest easy yet. We paid out over $1m on Hilary Clinton to be president and look where that left us."
Get a £20 Risk Free first bet with Paddy Power
MAN CITY SPECIALS
1/9 Man City to win the Premier League
1/7 Pep Guardiola to win LMA Manager of the year
1/3 City to score more than 100 Premier League goals this season
Evens City to break the Premier League points record
7/2 City to win the Premier League & FA Cup double
7/1 City to have an 'invincible' season
22/1 City to win the Premier League, Champions League & FA Cup treble
50/1 City to win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup quadruple
MANCHESTER DERBY ODDS
Man United: 12/5
Draw: 13/5
Man City: 11/10