Match Preview: Manchester City vs Manchester United

Guys, this is it......United head to the home of the champions on Sunday for the first clash of the season with our neighbours Manchester City. United hold a three point advantage over the blues, but a win for City will see them take top spot on goal difference.

The Opposition

Last season’s champions are still unbeaten in the league this season and haven’t lost a game at the Etihad since December 2010 against Everton. They’ve been steadier in their approach this season and are not quite the free-flowing team that they were this time last season. They have had their defence criticized at times this season, but they do have the best record in the league conceding only 11 in 15 games.

They do have a few injury concerns with David Silva hoping to be available for Sunday. There last 6 games in the league have seen them Win 3 (Tottenham, Wigan, Villa) and draw 3 (Chelsea, Everton, West Ham)

United Team News

Tom Cleverley will have a scan on the calf injury he picked up midweek, while the game has come too soon for Nemanja Vidic and Shinji Kagawa (Who should be available next weekend). Nani and Antonio Valencia are still a couple of weeks away and Anderson is about another three weeks.

Okay, so my predicted team above: I think after last weekend we will see De Gea come in, but don’t be too surprised to see Lindergaard between the sticks.

As good as Rafael has been this season – he was poor last weekend and deserved to be taken off, so I’ve gone for Jones at right-back. City are a big team at set-pieces and after watching us last week it’s probably something they will target us with, I even expect Dzeko to start for this reason. So I’ve picked Jones purely for his height. The other three players, Rio, Evans, Evra pick themselves really.

In midfield I would expect a return to the diamond formation, especially with Nani and Valencia injured. He could start Young on the left and Rooney on the right, but I don’t think he’ll do that. Carrick will be in front of the back-four at the top of the diamond, he’ll be able to cover Aguero/Tevez dropping deep and when Silva/Nasri move inside off their flanks. I’ve gone for Scholes too as I think keeping possession of the ball is going to be key on Sunday, and nobody does it better then the Ginger maestro. Even though there is a concern over Cleverley I still think he will start, he will have the legs to get around the midfield and will be key with Scholes in the midfield battle with Toure and Barry. Rooney will be at the tip of the diamond, but when we don’t have the ball I think he’ll drop in with Scholes and Cleverley to make a tight there, making our formation without the ball a 4-1-3-2.

Up top, well, Robin Van Persie starts, no need to explain that one, but next to him I’ve gone for Welbeck. I think SAF will go with a local boy in the team and the fact he won’t give the City defenders a moments rest.

SAF Speaks

“It’s a derby game and they’re notorious for surprises. City haven’t lost for two years at home so it’s going to be difficult. It will be hard but we’re capable of beating anyone, as we’ve proved time and time again.”

Prediction

I’ve several scenarios’ running through my head about this game, but if I’m honest, I don’t think we’ll win easily, because City will probably take advantage of our defensive frailties, so with that I’m going for

City 1 – 1 United