Premiership Manchester City v Manchester United

In one of the most hotly disputed local derbies of the season City will try to wreck United’s double chances, but City are a team in disarray, no home goals for months, in fighting, and potential police involvement regarding Joey Barton’s altercation with team mate Ousmane Dabo.

It seems almost inevitable that Stuart Pearce will part company with City at the end of the season, with a whole raft of rumours regarding his potential replacement.  What a change for a man who was being mentioned as the next England manager not even 12 months ago!

On the pitch, City will miss the aggressive influence of Barton (who has been suspended by the club for his part in the fight with Dabo) and while they have ready made replacements, the midfield will be severely weakened.    City are in danger of posting the worst home record of any team in the history of the premiership if they cannot pick up at least a point today.  Nearly 11 hours of home football since their last home goal does not bode well for the Blue half of the city, but this is one derby which has historically turned form on its head.

United are furious that City refused to put back the derby 24 hours to give them time to rest from their sapping mid-week encounter with AC Milan, so you can rest assured they will be even more pumped up for today’s game.  On the team front United look set to welcome back Rio Ferdinand, Louis Saha and Alan Smith, adding an aggressive streak through the spine of the team. 

Alex Ferguson is within touching distance of the Premiership title and victory today, together with Chelsea dropping points at Arsenal tomorrow, will see the title return to Old Trafford.  While it seems inevitable that United will deliver the title over the next week, a victory at the home ground of the their fierce neighbours would be a fitting finish.

Forecast : Away Win