Match Preview : The Manchester Derby

Venue : Etihad Stadium
Kick-Off : 2030 IST
Telecast : ESPN and ESPN HD

Manchester City (Possible, 4-1-3-2): Hart (GK); Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Kolarov (DEF); Fernandinho; Silva, Touré, Navas (MID); Agüero, Dzeko (ATT).
Out: Clichy (Thigh), Demichelis (Knee).

Manchester United (Possible, 4-2-3-1): De Gea (GK); Smalling, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra (DEF); Carrick, Fellaini (CDM); Valencia, Rooney, Nani (CAM); Van Persie (ST).
Out: Welbeck (Knee), Jones (Ankle), Rafael (Hamstring), Fletcher (Illness)

Referee : Howard Webb

Last Three Meetings

Manchester United 1 (Kompany OG) - Manchester City 2 (Milner, Aguero), Premier League, April 2013

Manchester City 2 (Yaya Toure, Zabaleta) - Manchester United 3 (Rooney 2, Van Persie), Premier League, December 2012

Manchester City 1 (Kompany) - Manchester United 0, Premier League, April 2012

Key Battles

Pellegrini and Moyes : The only off the pitch battle that makes headlines before the Manchester Derby is the psychological battle between the two new managers of the two Manchester Giants. Pellegrini with loads of UCL experience under his belt certainly has an edge when it comes to preparing his team for the crunch matches whereas Moyes with his vast experience of managing Everton in the premier league could also come in handy when the two clubs meet at the Etihad. Both of them come out with a healthy Champions League victory in the midweek.

Kompany vs Van Persie : This could very easily be categorized as on of the best Striker-Defender battles in the Premier league with both the best striker and the best defender in the premier league involved. Kompany- a proven captain material and a good leader has the capabilities to defend a well whereas Van Persie as showed last season with his creative skills can destroy any defense. It would be very interesting to see who comes on top.

Toure vs Rooney : The Toure-Rooney territory in the city half could very well decide the outcome of the match. Wayne Rooney certainly back at the top of his form will look to repeatedly break down the city defense in search for goals. And also it can be easily argued that Toure one of the most confident guys in the City line-up has the capability to break the united defensive shackles with his long balls and strength play. Things are going to heat up, thats for sure.

Dzeko vs Vidic : The Manchester City line-up has certainly lost a spark since the departure of Tevez and Balotelli. It has no doubt put a huge burden on Edin Dzeko’s shoulders, a point he would love to ponder upon by proving himself infront of the home fans. His strength is what will be needed to match that of Vidic and vastly expereienced Ferdinand.

Players to look-out for

David Silva : The creative maestro has been quite silent for some time now. He would be looking to prove himself at the stage. And his creative and mind wobbling typically Spanish passing style could prove to be decisive in the outcome of the game.

Marouane Fellaini : The re-union with the old Everton Boss David Moyes could be a motivating factor for the new-boy Fellaini. He has good and proven qualities when it comes to holding and creating plays with his strength and technicality, also the 28M Pound tag would be hovering above him and he would be looking to prove himself at the big platform.

Prediction : 3-2 Manchester City Win.