Manchester City v Manchester United
Manchester United v Manchester City – Sunday 23rd – Old Trafford (14:30)
All eyes will again be on the champions this weekend when they host their city rivals in the Manchester Derby. Both Manchester teams have looked the clear front runners for this season’s title and this match plays a big role in their respective title pursuit.
Manchester United are coming off their 1-1 draw at Anfield where Manager Sir Alex Ferguson put out an unfamiliar starting line-up that looked incapable of the performances United have shown thus far in the Premier League. Their defensive approach held the Reds until Steven Gerrard capitalised on a free-kick in the 68th minute. However Fergi brought on his ammunition in Wayne Rooney, Nani and Javier Hernandez who got the equaliser for United and they were able to hold on to the draw. United should start with Wayne Rooney this week as Ferguson would have seen how much of a loss it is without him in the starting line-up in these big matches. According to Ferguson, Rooney was left out after having a bad week from the press for seeing red in Englands 2-2 draw with Montenegro. United’s other danger man, Nani, should also boost United and he will want to repeat his Man of the Match performance he earned against City in the Community Shield in the beginning of the season.
Manchester City moved to the top of the table by capitalising on United’s draw and earning maximum points with a 4-1 win over Aston Villa. Mario Balotelli scored a superb overhead kick in the 28th minute, his fourth straight match with a goal, and City pulled away as Adam Johnson scored in the 47th, Vincent Kompany in the 52nd and James Milner in the 71st. Stephen Warnock got a consolation goal for visiting Villa. Manchester City will welcome back star man Sergio Aguero from injury who is expected to spear head City’s attack. David Silva and Samir Nasri were rested against Aston Villa, starting the match on the bench ahead of their tough week with an important Champions League match against Villarreal before they travel to Old Trafford. David Silva has proved to be a key player and the master mind in creating for City going forward. The addition of Nasri has helped Silva’s game even more as the two have struck up a lethal combination and understanding in the midfield.
City have closed the gap on their rivals and one can expect an end to end match here. Manchester United have a 100% home record winning all 4 home matches with an incredible 13 goals and conceding only 1 in the process. However City have arguably defended the best so far in the league and it will take something special for United to get a couple past them. The win could go either way with these two unbeaten sides but City are slightly favoured at a valuable 29/10.
