
Three points. It's the value of a fixture won, and the distance between two rivals. Fans of the Premiership are in a swoon over the potential of this week's City/United matchup. Rare is the day when a derby match decides the title race. Monday's game doesn't put paid to the end of the season, but everyone knows that this is it. If City win, they're level on points. If United win, the title is theirs, and everyone can return to vomiting in their mouths for another summer.
So who takes the three points? City seem the best bet. They're owners of a three-game win streak, and playing at the Etihad with Balotelli available after suspension. United's last three games reveal a rather wobbly perch atop the league. They drew last week against Everton, and took a page from Liverpool's book, losing 1-0 to Wigan two weekends ago. Despite Wayne Rooney's recent goalscoring form, one wonders if there's enough in United's tank to convince the world that they deserve this title. And don't count out Carlos Tevez to figure in the game's outcome in just about the most ironic way possible...
Prediction: City 3-1
Manchester Derby Previews
Colm Hamill
Sean Carey
Dave Clarke
So who takes the three points? City seem the best bet. They're owners of a three-game win streak, and playing at the Etihad with Balotelli available after suspension. United's last three games reveal a rather wobbly perch atop the league. They drew last week against Everton, and took a page from Liverpool's book, losing 1-0 to Wigan two weekends ago. Despite Wayne Rooney's recent goalscoring form, one wonders if there's enough in United's tank to convince the world that they deserve this title. And don't count out Carlos Tevez to figure in the game's outcome in just about the most ironic way possible...
Prediction: City 3-1
Manchester Derby Previews
Colm Hamill
Sean Carey
Dave Clarke