The Manchester Derby: Match Preview

Man City v Man Utd

Venue: Eastlands Date: Sunday, 30 November Kick-off: 1330 GMT

Man City: 11th 17 points

Man Utd: 3rd 25 points

After losing against our bitter rivals twice last year, United and City go head-to-head for the 150th time on Sunday.

Man City are flying after beating Arsenal 3-0 last week, then beating Schalke 2-0 in the Uefa Cup. Two great results for City, made even better by the news that Robinho will play in this tie.

Man Utd are on the back of two straight 0-0 draws against Aston Villa and Villarreal respectively, Man Utd will look to bounce back and close the gap on Chelsea and Liverpool and will be boosted by the return of Berbatov from injury.

Man City Probable Line Up:

Hart

Zabaleta -  Richards -  Dunne - Garrido

Kompany

Wright-Phillips -  Ireland

Vassell - Benjani - Robinho

 

Man Utd Probable Line Up:

Van der Sar

Neville - Ferdinand  - Vidic - Evra

Ronaldo - Carrick - Giggs - Park

Berbatov - Rooney

 

The Managers:

Mark Hughes says that he will focus on beating old club United and stick to the blue half of Manchester:

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“It is about my team and my club going up against the best side at this time. They are European champions, league champions and it is a huge test.

“As a professional manager you want to test yourself against the best. My players are professionals and they want to beat the best. When you go up against United that is what you have to do.

“If you get a positive result against the top sides from your own point of view, your professional pride is as high as it can be.

“We will try and give United a very difficult game and are very excited by the prospect of doing so.”

 

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Sir Alex Ferguson talks about City’s position in the table:

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“Where are they at the moment?

“Excuse me! At this moment in time, our threats are still Chelsea and Liverpool who are sitting above us, aren’t they?”

“Spending money is easier said than done. That’s when decision-making has to come into it and it is Mark who is left with that responsibility."

 

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Last five league meetings:

2007-08: City 1, United 0
2006-07: City 0, United 1
2005-06: City 3, United 1
2004-05: City 0, United 2
2003-04: City 4, United 1

Prediction: 1-2 It will be a tight encounter with both teams have good chances. The quality of Man United will be too good for City, with Rooney getting his 100th goal for the club on Sunday.

Man City Statistics

Goals	29
Total shots	217
Shots on target	88
Shooting accuracy	53 %
Goal conversion	13 %
Goals conceded	22
Clean sheets	5
Passing percent	79 %
Total Accurate Passes	4651
Crossing accuracy	26 %
Tackle success	73 %
Total fouls conceded	214
Total fouls won	196
Total clearances	5

Man Utd Statistics

Goals	25
Total shots	257
Shots on target	86
Shooting accuracy	49 %
Goal conversion	10 %
Goals conceded	10
Clean sheets	7
Passing percent	83 %
Total Accurate Passes	5361
Crossing accuracy	25 %
Tackle success	68 %
Total fouls conceded	165
Total fouls won	174
Total clearances	425