Manchester United vs Manchester City: 5 Bold Predictions

With the mid-week results completely re-opening the title race, the game in two weeks' time at Etihad Stadium between United and City could quite literally decide who becomes the 2011-12 Premier League Champion.

Without question, United will be happy to take a draw away from the blue half of Manchester, with a win being a massive bonus.

However, after the 6-1 mauling at Old Trafford back in October, United will be looking for revenge against their bitter rivals.

This came partially in the form of a 3-2 victory at the Etihad in the third round of the FA Cup.

But for real satisfaction United will be looking to take all three points to finally heal the wounds of that mammoth defeat.

As for City, it's very much all-or-nothing.

A draw, assuming both sides win their net two matches, would leave them five points behind United with just two matches left to play.

A loss would end their title push almost completely.

City have to win this game. 

From the neutral's point of view, this would set up the most interesting end to a title campaign for many a season, with it more than likely coming down to the final day of fixtures.

Whatever the case, here are five predictions for what will surely be the most crucial game of the season.

Carlos Tevez Will Start and Score

Carlos Tevez is a man whose entire career has been a roller-coaster ride.

Constantly plagued by drama and dodgy dealings, Tevez has not been out of the lime-light since he was signed by West Ham United, five years ago.

It's unfortunate, really, because Carlos is one of the most naturally gifted players in the Premier League.

Having missed almost the entire season, Tevez finally bit-the-bullet a month ago and apologised to Mancini and the Man City fans for his actions over his transfer request.

Since then, the little Argentinian has found his way back onto the substitutes bench—and actually made his first start (and scored) in nearly six months mid-week against West Bromwich Albion in a 4-0 victory.

So, it seems he is well and truly back in the Man City picture.

With this being the case, Tevez, at the very least, will make an appearance against his former club Manchester United.

Whether or not this will come from the bench or in the starting eleven is slightly less clear, and will be made apparent by his performances in the next two games before the derby.

Also, it would only be fitting with all the controversy and excitement that surrounds Tevez, that he scores against his former employers—a team which he left for City.  

Watch out for this man in the Manchester Derby, he could have a huge say in the title season...for either side.

Someone Will Be Sent off

Isn't it always the way in any Premier League derby game?

In October it was Johnny Evans who saw red at Old Trafford, after a poor challenge as the last man.

Since then, Evans has totally turned his season around and is now in real contention for United's player of the season award.

One would imagine that Mario Balotelli will probably not be play in this match—even if he is eligible to do so.

Otherwise, this prediction may have been "Balotelli will be sent off," as opposed to the far more general guess that it is.

Although, if I was going to plug for a particular candidate to be given his marching orders, I'd have to go for Rafael.

The United right-back is not a malicious player in the slightest, but he is prone to making slightly untimely challenges against players of a pacey nature.

I can see him picking up two innocent, but deserved, yellow cards.

But really, it could be anyone! This will be the most heated (and most important) Manchester derby in years—maybe ever—so tension and tempers will be high.

Let's just hope it doesn't get in the way of good quality football.

The Scores Will Be Level at Half Time

Whether or not this is because the game is incredibly open, with a scoreline of 1-1 or even 2-2 at the break, or because both sides are playing a very defensive game, is something that I'm not sure of.

Either way, I envision that coming into the break, there will be very little to separate the two sides from one and other.

It would pretty much epitomise the season to this point. 

The two have been very evenly matched for the majority of the year, with City arguably having the better of it over the first half, and United now narrowly taking the edge in the second.

Nerves will be high, and that will lead to either sloppy finishing or sloppy defences.

Whatever the case, it will set up an interesting first 45 minutes of football.

Johnny Evans Will Make Up for October with a Man of the Match Performance

After many felt Evans let the team down at Old Trafford last year, Johnny has gone on one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent memory.

Having to fill the illustrious boots of Serbian stalwart Nemanja Vidic, who has been injured for the majority of the season, would be a challenging task for any player—whatever their skill set and reputation.

Evans was not exactly considered to be one of United's best players coming into this campaign, but since then has become one of the red half of Manchester's most crucial players this season.

There is no doubt that City will have their chances to score in this match, but I believe that Evans will put in some impressive challenges and interceptions to ensure David de Gea has less to do than he might have done otherwise.

This doesn't necessarily mean that Evans or the rest of the United defence will be able to completely keep City out—but hopefully it will keep the scoring below six!

A performance like this from United's Irish centre back could inspire the rest of the team, resulting in a victory from defence—the classic way to play and win a game of football.

United Will Win the Match and the Title

Whether or not they deserve to take the game, it is without question that United have earned a 13th Premier League and 20th English League championship title.

Not to say that City don't deserve the title either, they have had an amazing season in which, despite their advantages in terms of money available, they have surpassed many people's expectations.

However, the guts that United have shown to turn around what was at one stage a six-point deficit to their bitter rivals, has been nothing short of heroic.

It will be a close game—no repeat of the heavy defeat seen in the first half of the season—with the odd-goal settling it.

I see it ending 2-1 to United, with a goal late-on from the likes of Rooney or Hernandez. 

Whatever happens, this game will be one for the history books and probably the most important Manchester derby to ever take place.

Good luck to both sides, and thank you for providing us with what has been one of the most gripping title battles for almost five years.