Fourth place Manchester City will aim to overcome neighbours Manchester United, when the Red Devils make the short trip to the Etihad on Sunday. Louis van Gaal’s side are in sixth position in the league and a win will reduce the gap between themselves and City to just one point.
Both Manchester clubs have not enjoyed the best of form in recent weeks and Sunday’s blockbuster derby will surely witness both teams going all out to win it.
After being knocked out by Liverpool in the Europa league, the Red Devils still have a chance of winning the FA Cup when they face high-flying West Ham United away in a sixth round replay.
City have enjoyed a fairly successful season so far, despite not playing to the maximum of their capabilities. The Citizens have already clinched the League Cup and are the only English team in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
While the Premier League might be out of reach for both teams, there is still that coveted fourth place that both teams will be vying for.
Key Battle –Sergio Aguero vs Daley Blind
Sergio Aguero has 16 league goals in what has been an injury crippled season, proving yet again that he is one of the most prolific strikers in the Premier League. The Argentine might be one of only few City players who is enjoying a decent run of form and his side will need a big effort from him if they stand a chance at beating their neighbours on Sunday. He didn’t feature when the sides met at Old Trafford earlier this season but he still has eight goals in Manchester derbies, just on behind record goalscorer Eric Cantona.
CrownBet match odds at time of publishing
United have endured injury problems in defence. The Red Devils have conceded the most number of goals against the top seven teams in the league and much of that is due to some horrific defending.
However, Daley Blind has played as a make-shift centre-back for almost the entire season and the Dutch international has faced his share of criticisms for it. He will have a tough job of dealing with the in-form Aguero and will need to put in a very strong defensive performance, if he is to prevent the Argentine getting past him.
Team News
City skipper Vincent Kompany is once against injured and is not likely to feature after he limped off in City’s last game in the Champions League. Nicolas Otamendi is also a doubt for Pellegrini, although he is more than likely to be fit enough to start.
Manchester City Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Joe Hart, Bacary Sagna, Nicolas Otamendi, Eliaquim Mangala, Gael Clichy, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Jesus Navas, Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero.
United have had a poor season in terms of player fitness with eight of their players out injured at the moment. Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Ander Herrera, Phil Jones and Donald Love are all doubts for the derby, while Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young, Luke Shaw and Will Keane are ruled out.
Liverpool Expected XI (4-2-3-1) : David De Gea, Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo, Michael Carrick, Morgan Schneiderlin, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford.
Head-to-Head
This will be the 171st clash between the neighbours. United lead the way with 70 wins to their name, while City have won 49 of the derbies. The other 51 games have ended in draws. The Citizens have enjoyed more success in recent times, winning four out of the last six games.
Previous Meeting
The sides last met in October, earlier this season with the game ending in a rather drab goalless draw at Old Trafford.
Prediction
With both teams in hunt for a fourth place finish, you can expect Sunday’s derby to be a feisty encounter. In the past few years, there has always been controversies in the derby and you can expect the same on Sunday. You can never really predict the outcome of a Manchester derby, but United have played performed well against the big teams this season and it won’t be a surprise if they come away from the Etihad with all three points.
Manchester City 1 Manchester United 2
*CrownBet odds at time of publishing are subject to change
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