Manchester United vs. Manchester City: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info

Sunday's Manchester derby between United and City has an awful lot resting on it. City have slipped down to fourth after some disastrous form in recent weeks, one point behind their local rivals. After winning the Premier League and the League Cup last season, playing some wonderful football along the way, this has been a campaign defined by regression for the Blues. 

They have dominated this fixture in recent seasons, though. In fact, City have won the last four Manchester derbies, and a win on Sunday would set a new club record five straight wins over United. 

But Louis van Gaal's side have hot form recently, winning their last five matches. They've taken 40 points at home this season—more than any other side in the division. It's all set up to be a classic. 

Date: Sunday, April 12

Kick-Off: 4 p.m. BST, 11 a.m. ET

TV Listings: Live on Sky Sports 1 (U.K.)

Live Stream: Sky Go (U.K.) 

Form Guide (last five league results)

United

United 3-1 Aston Villa

Liverpool 1-2 United

United 3-0 Tottenham 

Newcastle 0-1 United

United 2-0 Sunderland 

City

Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Crystal Palace 2-1 City

City 3-0 West Brom 

Burnley 1-0 City

City 2-0 Leicester 

Liverpool 2-1 City 

Predicted Formations

United

Chris Smalling faces a late fitness test after suffering from an illness, and Luke Shaw (hamstring) will also need to be assessed prior to the game to see if he can play. Robin van Persie is back in training but won't be risked. 

Bleacher Report - Formation Builder

City

Vincent Kompany is a doubt with a hamstring problem picked up against Palace on Monday. He will need a fitness test on the day of the game. Wilfried Bony, Stevan Jovetic and Dedryck Boyata are all out. 

Bleacher Report - Formation Builder

Players to Watch

United: Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney has been used in various positions this season, but his recent return to a striker role has seen him hit very good form. 

He's bagged 12 league goals this season and is the all-time leading scorer in this fixture with 11. Often the man for the big occasion, he thrives when up against City, time and again proving to be their undoing.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

City: Sergio Aguero

Sergio Aguero is on a six-game goalscoring drought which is something of a concern for Manuel Pellegrini, but his ability in front of goal, as well as his recent record against United, mean it would hardly be a surprise if he found himself on the scoresheet on Sunday. 

Six in his last seven against United demonstrates his big-game pedigree, and City will be looking to him to provide some spark and some goals in this match. 

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Key Battle: Michael Carrick vs. David Silva 

David Silva, City's creator-in-chief, is often seen as the most important attacking player in the Blues' squad, and United will need to reduce his impact if they are to have any success on Sunday. 

Picking him up is difficult given his tendency to roam, but Michael Carrick is arguably best placed to stop him. 

Carrick is a disciplined, if unspectacular, player who has done well in the past when given instructions to stifle opposition players. It would hardly be a surprise if he paid close attention to Silva in this one. 

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Odds (Via Odds Shark)

United: +155

City: +165

Draw: +250

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.