8 Predictions Ahead of the Manchester Derby

The EPL title looks destined to be paraded around the streets of Manchester come May.

With the derby between United and City mere days away, who will star, who will start and will there be a sulking substitute?

Ahead of a game that is quickly becoming one of the biggest in Europe, here are eight predictions ahead of Sunday's showdown.

It Won’t Be All About Mario Balotelli

The infamous T-shirt revealed after his precision finish in last season’s 6-1 derby victory will not get a second outing.

With only one goal this season, Mario is unlikely to make the starting lineup. 

Mancini Will Play 3 Defensive Midfielders

The Man City manager has experimented with his formation so many times this year that no one even knows what his preferred system is these days.

The visit of their closest rivals is no time to tinker, however. Expect Gareth Barry and James Milner to get an outing alongside a withdrawn Yaya Toure.

Ferguson Will Play Scholes

Sir Alex Ferguson has favourites when it comes to the big games. Park Ji-Sung, for example, seemed to play exclusively in games against the other Big Four.

Despite appearing as a sub on Wednesday, Scholes will be in the midfield to dictate the pace and leave his mark on a few shins against City.

Rooney Will Play on the Wing

Look for Rooney to start on the wing, possibly as part of a 4-3-3 formation, since Robin van Persie has the No. 1 striker role sewn up by virtue of his 13 goals this season.

Injuries to their wingers and a reluctance to go 4-4-2 away from home is likely to place Wayne out wide.

It Will Be Scrappy

Away from home, having lost the league last season on goal difference and having said he is considering playing himself this weekend after last week's poor defensive display at Reading, Fergie will look to keep it tight.

Mancini does not want to give United a six-point lead at the top of the table in the same week his team limped out of the Champions League. A draw would suit both.

The midfields will be loaded, and space will be at a premium.

There Will Be Goals

United have not been involved in a 0-0 draw for 58 matches. They have scored a league-leading 37 goals already.

Man City, who are second on the list, are no slouches themselves.

The Red Devils have conceded more goals at this stage of the season than in any of the previous 10. 

A Goalkeeping Error Will Account for One of the Goals

Both of United’s keepers have been dropped after making mistakes this year.

At the other end, while Joe Hart remains the most consistent English keeper, the last few months have shown a crack or two in his armory.

There will be a mistake; but it could be at either end.

Dzeko or Hernandez Will Score off the Bench

Of Edin Dzeko’s seven goals this year, only one has come when he has started.

Hernandez has a long-standing reputation as an off-the-bench game-changer. This season, Manchester United’s substitutes have gained them an additional five points from losing or drawing positions—City’s an extra seven.