Manchester United Will Prevail over Manchester City in Epic EPL Title Battle

With the English Premier League starting to approach the business end, the City of Manchester looks pretty set to win itself another league title.

Either Manchester City or Manchester United will take home the championship, and that's nothing against the likes of Tottenham and Chelsea—these two sides are simply in a class of their own.

And so with 14 matches to go, and only two points separating the two giants of Manchester, it truly will be a battle down to the wire as to who walks away with the trophy and who walks away with nothing.

Whether you're a passionate fan of either club or simply a follower interested in how the story will end, here's the complete preview for the 14 matches left for both clubs and the answers as to why it will be United that prevail in the Manchester title battle for 2012.

Week 25

Manchester United vs. Liverpool

After sharing the points in a 1-1 draw the last time these two sides met, United should be good enough to take the points at home. They will understand the significance of the win here, and whilst Liverpool still have the Carling Cup and the FA Cup, Manchester United are solely focused on taking the league title.

They played out a gripping match in the FA Cup recently, and United will come out firing early, desperate to gain revenge from that match.

Manchester City vs. Aston Villa

Villa have had another average, but inconsistent season as they struggle for goals and for points. Now down in 14th on the table, they should have no answers for a surging City. Recent road troubles by City will still come out to haunt them, but a late goal should again give them all three points.

League Standings

First: Manchester City (60 points)

Second: Manchester United (58 points)

Week 26

Norwich City vs. Manchester United

Whilst United comfortably defeated Norwich at Old Trafford back in October, expect Norwich to give the Red Devils a run for their money in this one. Strong at home, and especially in the first half, Norwich will most likely force United to wait deep into the second half to find the back of the net.

This is a statement game for United—a game they should win, and a game that they need to win if they want to take the title. Sounds stupid, but it'll either be a late 1-0 victory, or a 4-0 flogging.

Manchester City vs. Blackburn

Blackburn took down United at home earlier in the year, so can they do the same to Manchester City? Simple answer: no.

With a 7-1 flogging to Arsenal still fresh in their minds, expect Blackburn to roll over again in this one.

League Standings

First: Manchester City (63 points)

Second: Manchester United (61 points)

Week 27

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United

It's tough to see United walking away with any more than a point in this match. Since the close of the summer 2011 transfer window, Tottenham have been the best team in the league—recording only one loss.

United may have chalked up a 3-0 victory last time the two sides met, but that was at Old Trafford. And Tottenham, playing in their own backyard, are very tough to beat. United are good enough to challenge, but they won't walk away with more than a draw.

Manchester City vs. Bolton

Bolton might be desperate to get out of the relegation zone but travelling to Manchester very rarely produces anything other than more goals in the against column.

League Standings

First: Manchester City (66 points)

Second: Manchester United (62 points)

Week 28

Manchester United vs. West Bromwich Albion

After a tough trip to Tottenham, United will be grateful to have an easier stretch of games ahead of them, starting with West Brom at Old Trafford. These two sides met way back in Round 1, and whilst West Brom have not been the worst side in the Premier League since then, they certainly haven't been the best.

And considering they dropped points last week, Manchester United at home is not the side that you want to be playing to keep your hopes of staying in the top class alive.

Swansea City vs. Manchester City

A tricky little encounter for City here that kicks off their tough run of matches. Swansea sit in the middle of the table at the moment, and a 4-0 loss to the Citizens at the start of the year will have well and truly be forgotten by now.

Swansea have only been defeated once at home all year, and are averaging only 0.58 goals per home game. City's road troubles have been well-documented by now, and against a side that has only lost once since Christmas, Swansea may just do United a huge favor and take points off City.

They may not get a win, but they will definitely walk away with a huge 1-1 draw.

League Standings

First: Manchester City (67 points)

Second: Manchester United (65 points)

Week 29

Wolverhampton vs. Manchester United

United travel to Wolves and will take the points for their troubles, putting another dent in Wolverhampton's dreams of staying out of the relegation zone.

Manchester City vs. Chelsea

After watching Chelsea almost come away with a win against United, you've got to think that they've put their inconsistencies behind them and are playing quality football at the right time of the year.

With a Champions League spot on the line for the Blues, expect them to give it to City early, and try to protect their lead. And whilst I don't think they'll be successful in knocking off the Citizens again, they will kill their momentum (again) and come away with a draw.

League Standings

First: Manchester City (68 points)

Second: Manchester United (68 points)

Week 30

Manchester United vs. Fulham

United beat Fulham 5-0 away just before Christmas; imagine what they can do at home with the season on the line. Whatever it is, it'll end up being three points for the Red Devils.

Stoke City vs. Manchester City

Away to Stoke might sound like an easy match, but it is no way a guarantee, and for City, it's almost become a voodoo journey. They haven't won there since 1999, and that will continue, as Stoke hold Manchester City to another frustrating draw.

This game could be frustrating for City fans and ugly football for fans of every other club, but for Stoke and United fans, the news could not be any better.

League Standings

First: Manchester United (71 points)

Second: Manchester City (69 points)

Week 31

Blackburn Rovers vs. Manchester United

Yakubu can't win every game by himself and therefore, no matter how poorly United play away from home after taking the No. 1 spot on the table, they'll still walk away with a win.

However, it may give Sir Alex Ferguson a minor heart attack as they leave it late to find the back of the net.

Manchester City vs. Sunderland

Finally a home game and finally a match that City can win. Right?

Maybe not. Martin O'Neill's side have been incredible since he's taken charge, and despite their brilliance, they won't be able to knock off City at the Etihad—especially given their recent performances.

They will be desperate to get the points and they will, but not after some heavy resistance from Sunderland.

League Standings

First: Manchester United (74 points)

Second: Manchester City (72 points)

Week 32

Manchester United vs. Queens Park Rangers

When United get on a roll, they really get rolling and whilst they might be vulnerable away from home, at Old Trafford they will be too dominant.

Manchester scored via Wayne Rooney in the first minute of play the last time these two met, and whilst they might not start that quickly, they will be too difficult to contain for the full 90 minutes and will make it five wins in a row as they build on their league lead.

Arsenal vs. Manchester City

Just when you think City's run of tough games was coming to an end, they must now travel to Arsenal and try to steal points from a side that has its Champions League dreams on the line.

They managed a 1-0 victory over Arsenal at home, but as City have shown all season, they've been woeful away from home. They will be lucky that Robin van Persie has an off day and blows some golden opportunities, handing a valuable point back to City.

League Standings

First: Manchester United (77 points)

Second: Manchester City (73 points)

Week 33

Wigan Athletic vs. Manchester United

On top of their stellar form, United now get the luxury of playing the last-placed Wigan who look destined to be relegated at the end of the season. No points being dropped here.

Manchester City vs. West Bromwich Albion

When you're season is slipping away, the great teams either step up and bounce back to form, or they continue a miserable slump. And whilst they played out a 0-0 draw the last time they played WBA, at home in front of their desperate fans, they will bounce right back into the winner's books.

League Standings

First: Manchester United (80 points)

Second: Manchester City (76 points)

Week 34

Manchester United vs. Aston Villa

It's Old Trafford against an Aston Villa side that can't make the top 10 anymore with title aspirations on the line. You do the math; it's another three points.

Norwich City vs. Manchester City

Norwich have been strong this season, but not strong enough to contain a resurrected Manchester City. They fell apart in the second half last time the two met, resulting in a 5-1 flogging and whilst it might not be that bad this time, any loss at home is bad.

League Standings

First: Manchester United (83 points)

Second: Manchester City (79 points)

Week 35

Manchester United vs. Everton

If this were anywhere other than Old Trafford, Everton would be good for at least a draw. United's winning streak is due to come to an end soon, and Everton are good enough to take down league-leading sides as we've seen already this year.

But it is Old Trafford, and United are on their way to another league title with another three points in the bag. Try to stop that at your own peril.

Wolverhampton vs. Manchester City

Some welcome relief in an easy road opponent. The Citizens will flog Wolves straight back into the relegation zone.

League Standings

First: Manchester United (86 points)

Second: Manchester City (82 points)

Week 36

Manchester City vs. Manchester United

I can guarantee you one thing—there's no way this one is going to end in a 6-1 flogging again.

United's recent performances will have shown their defensive prowess, and City's recent performances will have highlighted their goal-scoring abilities—making for an excellent rematch.

They lost 3-2 in a scintillating match at home for the FA Cup and revenge might just be the dish on the menu.

The season is one the line for City in this one, and anything other than the three points guarantees Manchester United will go home with the Premiership.

It might be a late goal, and it might be something spectacular, but I think City at home will be too much to stop. An early goal might be all that features in this clash of the titans, but three points is incredibly valuable at this point of the season.

League Standings

First: Manchester United (86 points)

Second: Manchester City (85 points)

Week 37

Manchester United vs. Swansea City

Fresh off a defeat that really hurt, United are back at home to desperately cling on to their league lead. And cling they will as three early first-half goals all but knock Swansea out of the match and knock United one step closer to the title.

Newcastle United vs. Manchester City

Just as quickly as their league hopes received another life, they have to travel to Newcastle, who will probably need a win for their Champions League hopes. And with Demba Ba back into full swing for Newcastle, and City hapless on the road, Newcastle could avenge their 3-1 loss earlier in the year.

They were undone by two penalties in that match and will be much tighter in this one. City will be lucky to walk away with a point, but whatever they walk away with, it won't be enough as they hand the title to Manchester United.

League Standings

First: Manchester United (89 points)

Second: Manchester City (86 points)

Week 38

Sunderland vs. Manchester United

Only needing a point to claim the title, expect United to throw everything at Sunderland early and go into the break with a two-goal lead.

Then watch them play five across the back and two holding midfielders as they knock the ball around and protect their lead.

And even if United can only find the back of the net once, and Sunderland continue their stellar form under Martin O'Neill, I cannot see Sunderland scoring more goals than Manchester United.

Which means that even with a point, United will claim the league.

Manchester City vs. Queens Park Rangers

Because Manchester United will be playing at the exact same time, City will have no alternative other than going all out for the win and scoring as many goals as possible for goal difference.

And whilst they might come away with a four- or five-goal performance, they will soon find out it is all in vain as one single point divides the two Manchester giants at the end of a tumultuous 38-round season.

So joy for United as Sir Alex Ferguson once again gets to hoist the trophy for the world to see.

For Manchester City, it will be back to the drawing board to try to figure out what went wrong and how to claim the Premier League title for themselves.

Which, knowing City, means they'll be heading to the bank.

Final League Standings

First: Manchester United (90 points)

Second: Manchester City (89 points)