Manchester Derby: City's Best Chance

For Manchester City supporters, the Manchester Derby has always been the two dates circled on the calender. It has been a day of nervousness, fear, anger—and in the cases of victory, exhilaration.

This time it's different. There is a sense of confidence never felt before. Many City fans are emboldened with City's recent run of form and United's toiling without Wayne Rooney, on whom they depend to rescue them. 

The Blues can sense the blood in the water. It is a feeling that has captivated the Blue Side like a tidal wave. 

While Manchester City are not equal to United in trophies or fame, the tide is beginning to turn. The Blues currently sit in fourth place in the Premier League—the final UEFA Champions' League spot. 

The magnitude of this match is unmatched. A City victory, plus possible Spurs losses today and over the weekend, could all but send City into Champions League. A loss for United would all but destroy the hopes of a fourth straight EPL title.

Ferguson is fearful, realizing the threat of City in the Champions League. He realizes that with the financial power that the Blues have, they would be able to offer not only unfounded riches, but Champions League football as well. 

A win for United would give them new-found hope in the title race and the sense that they can stem the wave of momentum that is carrying City right now.

United have numerous issues at the moment, though none more important than the fitness of Wayne Rooney. Rooney is the catalyst of the United attack. Without him, United is almost toothless. Ferguson does not want to have to rely on Dimitar Berbatov at the moment and the striking options at Old Trafford have worn thin with the injury to Michael Owen. 

For City, the man of the moment is Carlos Tevez. Hated on the Red Side for his switch, he has likely made Ferguson feel it was a mistake to let him go. With 28 goals in all competitions, Tevez has been in the form of his life, showing that all it really took to get hot was regular games—something he lacked at United.

Roberto Mancini has essentially given Tevez a free rein to do as he pleases on the pitch. The result has been the absolute terrorizing of defenders in the Premier League.

Another worry for Ferguson has to be the way the front four of City's attack have begun to click. Adam Johnson, Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Craig Bellamy have all linked up to be involved in destruction of Burnley and Birmingham. 

Adebayor looks at the moment like he is finally past his troubles over the course of his season and is finally enjoying his football.

The main concern for City must be in the back four. Kolo Toure and Vincent Kompany seem to have found a good understanding of each other, and Nedum Onuoha is in good form. However at left back, City are vulnerable. Javier Garrido has yet to show he can handle the attackers of the Premier League, while Pablo Zabaleta as always has worked hard but has had issues with bookings. Sylvinho is down with injury as well.

This means that it is imperative for City to have Wayne Bridge healthy on Saturday.

City have every right to be confident; they have lost just once at Eastlands all season and it seems everyone is hitting stride at the right time. City have had to endure some growing pains this season, but Gareth Barry has put it all into perspective.

"It was always going to be tough at the start," he said. "It was never going to happen overnight no matter who we signed. We have top class players in the dressing room, and I think it's showing now that we are playing so well together."

For City, the time is right for them to show the world how far they have come this season. A planned summer tour of the United States has been announced. City would love to follow that announcement by beating one of the largest Clubs in the world, thus strengthening their grip on the last Champions League spot.

My Prediction

While I am confident that City can win this match, I have seen too many derbies to think this will be a rout. I feel Rooney will play and give City's back four some problems. However, in the end I feel it will be City who come out of this match: Manchester City 2-1 United.

Should be a great match. This matchup has spawned the best matches and storylines of the season.  I have no doubt that this match will be the same.