Manchester United vs. Manchester City: Can Red Devils Hold Lead on EPL?

The Premier League's a two-horse race—I know it, you know it, the city of Manchester certainly knows it and supporters of a certain London-based club which shall not be named know it.

But hey, at least the fight to win this year's league title is going to end a little bit more competitively than when the Red Devils won last season with a commanding nine-point lead over the Blues.

We know for certain that Manchester will be home to this season's silverware, but will it be Old Trafford or Etihad Stadium? Through the first 30 matches, Manchester United has a three-point lead over Manchester City, but the Blues have a three-score lead in goal differential, and a slightly better offense could mean the difference between Mancini or Ferguson lifting the trophy.

There's eight weeks of fixtures left, and with both Manchester clubs expelled from both European tournaments, the only concerns both squads have are Premier League clubs.

It'll be a tight race decided in the next two months, but comparing the next eight weeks for both clubs helps to shed some light on who has the more favorable schedule—and therefore, who has the best chance of bringing home the title.

With that said, I give you a comparison of the next eight weeks for both Manchester clubs and my prediction of who will come out on top by season's end.

Week 31: United at Blackburn, City vs. Sunderland

Before the season began, these two fixtures looked like a no-brainer. Manchester United could host Blackburn, visit Blackburn, play Blackburn on the moon—it didn't matter. The Red Devils were going to get three points against Rovers no matter what.

But something happened that no one expected. Steve Kean's men came to Old Trafford on New Year's Eve, built a two-goal lead and cruised to a 3-2 victory.

Now Manchester United is going to Ewood Park. Raise your hand if you think the Red Devils are going to let Rovers sweep them.

Thought so.

Manchester City, however, has Sunderland—a club who defeated them with a last-second (and controversial) goal.

Lightning won't strike twice for either side. Ferguson's men will be far more disciplined this time around with thoughts of a title—and not New Year's celebrations—in their focus, and City's perfect 15-0-0 record at Etihad Stadium will be extended.

Prediction: United wins over Blackburn and City wins over Sunderland.

Manchester United: 76 points

Manchester City: 73 points

Week 32: United vs. Queens Park Rangers, City at Arsenal

Here's where Manchester United can build its lead to more than a single point. They're hosting a Queens Park Rangers team that is significantly worse than the one they beat 2-0 at Loftus Road.

Manchester City, on the other hand, is going to Emirates Stadium. Sadly, I think Arsenal is a team in ascent fueled by their lead for a sure spot in next year's Champions League. The Gunners will be—well—gunning for a move up the table. Will they be able to scratch out some points over City?

Unfortunately for Red Devils fans, they won't.

Prediction: United wins over Queens Park Rangers and City wins over Arsenal.

Manchester United: 79 points

Manchester City: 76 points

Week 33: United at Wigan Athletic, City vs WBA

I'm not saying Wigan Athletic is bad, but when Dimitar Berbatov—a player Manchester United has put on the pitch just 10 times this season—scores a hat trick against you, something's sour.

Now, the Red Devils have to travel to DW Stadium. It won't be the 5-0 thrashing the Latics suffered on December 26, but it'll be close as Ferguson wants to catch up on goal differential.

Manchester City is hosting West Bromwich Albion, a team that is surprisingly better on the road (22 points) than they are at home (14 points). It still won't matter as the Blues wrap up a routine victory.

Prediction: United wins over Wigan Athletic and City wins over WBA.

Manchester United: 82 points

Manchester City: 79 points

Week 34: United vs. Aston Villa, City at Norwich City

Here begins a two-game streak of home matches for Manchester United. The first match will be against Aston Villa, and while many at Old Trafford might see that as an easy three points, I'm not so sure. They certainly gave the Red Devils plenty to handle, losing by just one goal even though Shay Given and Jermaine Jenas were stretchered off.

That said, with Darren Bent out, United will win this one easily.

Manchester City's going to Norwich City, a club that would be eighth in the league table if not for shoddy defending and goalkeeping. The Canaries have a better chance of keeping pace offensively with the Blues, but their back line is among the worst in the league.

Prediction: United wins over Aston Villa and City wins over Norwich City.

Manchester United: 85 points

Manchester City: 82 points

Week 35: United vs. Everton and City at Wolverhampton

As a fan of neither Manchester side, this is the start of the two most important weeks in either side's season because it represents the two weeks where the Red Devils are most likely to falter.

Manchester United may have squeaked by Everton with a 1-0 win earlier in the year, but anyone who watched that game knows that the Toffees had the Red Devils' number. Everton held the ball longer than United, outplayed in midfield and launched a barrage of shots at David De Gea, who—like the world-class goalkeeper Ferguson signed him to be—stopped all eight of them.

Manchester City, however, plays a Wolverhampton side that only gets wrong numbers. Poor Wolves.

Prediction: United draws with Everton and City wins over Wolverhampton.

Manchester United: 86 points

Manchester City: 85 points

Week 36: United at City

I don't care what anyone says; this is the match that will decide the Premier League title.

At home, there's no one better than Manchester City. When playing at Etihad Stadium, the Blues are currently 15-0-0.

But when away, no one is better than Manchester United. When playing away from Old Trafford, the Red Devils have captured 36 points. That's as good or better than eight teams have total!

So who wins? The rock or the hard place?

Defensively, I believe the Red Devils are better. David De Gea has been transformed by Ferguson into one of the best 'keepers in the league, and pretty soon, you'll be able to say he's one of the best in the world.

Offensively, Manchester City's strength at the beginning of the season has stumbled as of late. By normal standards, they're superb, but by their own standards, they're losing form. In the last five league matches, they've only averaged 1.6 goals per match. That's down from 3.4 goals per match in the first five matches of the season.

Prediction: United wins over City.

Manchester United: 89 points

Manchester City: 85 points

Week 37: United vs. Swansea City, City at Newcastle United

Swansea City's coming to Old Trafford. Manchester United's one victory away from the league title. The table's set; all you have to do is sit down and eat, right?

Wrong.

For a shocker that will stir Wales in a frenzy, Swans is going to go to Manchester and win over the Red Devils.

Apart from giving Manchester United a run for its money when they came to Liberty Park, the club is vastly improved. They've found the right tactics and formations that net goals, and players such as Gylfi Sigurdsson and Nathan Dyer are growing into first-tier football players. Swansea City is no longer a ragtag group of Championship holdovers; they are a legitimate contender for next year's Europa League.

Manchester City is going to Newcastle United, will see the stadium scoreboard showing the Red Devils losing and will rally to a late victory.

Prediction: United loses to Swansea City, City wins over Newcastle United.

Manchester United: 89 points

Manchester City: 88 points

Week 38: United at Sunderland, City vs. Queens Park Rangers

Final week of the season, the Red Devils up by only one point on the Blues, both teams playing at the same time.

It really won't get better than this for viewers at home like myself.

But sadly, both clubs are playing bottom-feeders, with Manchester United taking on Sunderland and Manchester City matching up against Queens Park Rangers.

The only thing that makes this interesting is that United is traveling to Stadium of Light for their season-ending match—a venue the Black Cats have beaten the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Stoke City. Anything can happen in Tyne and Wear.

Manchester City is hosting a Queens Park Rangers club who will be fighting tooth and nail to not go back to The Championship.

Prediction: United wins over Sunderland, City loses to Queens Park Rangers.

Manchester United: 92 points

Manchester City: 88 points