Manchester City vs Manchester United
Date: 07/04/2018
K/O: 17:30pm
Venue: The Etihad
TV: Sky Sports Main Event
Manchester City welcome cross-town rivals Manchester United to the Etihad knowing that victory will secure their first Premier League title in four years..
After a dreadful performance against Liverpool in midweek, Pep Guardiola has hinted he may freshen his team up for the visit of the Red Devils.
Sergio Aguero remains a huge doubt and may not be risked. John Stones and Oleksandr Zinchenko could come in at the back, while Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva will also be hoping for recalls.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnited are at almost full strength, and may stick with the same team that dispatched Swansea last Saturday, having had an extra three days rest.
Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford offer pace if Jose Mourinho decides to rotate, and Eric Bailly may return in defence.
A win for City would take them 19 points clear at the summit with only six games to play, and though a draw or Manchester United victory would close the gap, it would only be delaying the inevitable.
The Citizens have only dropped two points at home this season, though Guardiola has openly stated that his men are prioritising the Champions League.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe may show big faith in some of his fringe players like Danilo and Stones, knowing that fans can imagine nothing sweeter than winning the title against their most bitter rivals.
The Red Devils will be fired up also. Though they must surely have conceded that the title is gone, victory away at the Champions elect would send out a powerful message ahead of next season.
Their squad remains youthful, carrying a potent counter-attacking threat as well as defensive resilience, having kept Liverpool at bay twice this season.
In Jesse Lingard, they have one of this season’s biggest success stories, and with Romelu Lukaku beginning to rediscover his goalscoring touch, City will surely not have it as easy as it was at Old Trafford in December.
Having been torn apart in the first half by Liverpool, City’s backline will surely be freshened up. Aymeric Laporte struggled at left back, and Vincent Kompany looked tired. Pep may be tempted to bring Laporte back into the middle, and trust one of Danilo, Zinchenko or Fabian Delph at left back.
Embed from Getty ImagesIlkay Gundogan was desperately overran by James Milner and Jordan Henderson, and will surely be axed in favour of Sterling or Bernardo Silva.
Despite being utterly dominated by Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren, Gabriel Jesus will again lead the attack, with Sergio Aguero set to be rested for the second leg against Liverpool.
United will set up defensively and hope to stifle City. Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic will screen the defence, with Romelu Lukaku leading the line.
Eric Bailly will return in defence, most likely at Victor Lindelof’s expense. Key battles will likely involve United’s full backs, with Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling providing a large amount of goals from wide areas this year.
Having tamed Mohamed Salah, Ashley Young will get the nod on the left, while Antonio Valencia will lead his side on the right.
With six league losses between them in 2017/18, this will no doubt be a cagey affair, with City dominating possession. In the end, surely City’s passion will see them through.
Prediction: Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0
Written by Sam Hanys.
