Manchester United vs. Manchester City: 10 Predictions for the Derby

Manchester City will arrive at Old Trafford on Sunday as Premier League leaders. Roberto Mancini's team swept aside Aston Villa 4-1 at the weekend and should be full of confidence as they enter into one of the most anticipated Manchester derbies for years.

United will not need telling their neighbours are a genuine threat to their ascendancy. The 19-time champions salvaged a 1-1 draw against bitter rivals Liverpool on Saturday and will be desperate to make a point against the pretenders to their throne.

In this fixture last year, it was all about Wayne Rooney and this goal. Here are 10 predictions for Sunday's encounter.

1. Wayne Rooney Will Start

Sir Alex Ferguson surprised many by leaving Rooney on the substitutes' bench against Liverpool. The United manager was clearly concerned over Rooney's vulnerable mental state following his sending off for England, and worried that the Anfield experience could send him over the edge.

I fully expect Rooney to feature in Europe this week, however, and take his place in the starting lineup against City on Sunday. It might be a local derby, but with the home crowd on his back and memories of this fixture last season to lean on, Rooney will be in his element.

2. Sergio Aguero Will Join Him

Sergio Aguero appears set to make his return from injury against Villarreal this week. Assuming he comes through that Champions League encounter unscathed, I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the starting lineup at Old Trafford.

Having witnessed the trouble Luis Suarez caused United at Anfield, Roberto Mancini will be looking to Ageuro to ask similar questions of Sir Alex Ferguson's unconvincing defense.

3. There Will Be Goals

City have scored four goals in their last two games and lead the Premier League with 27 in total. United are second with 25.

When you factor in the 3-2 at Old Trafford last season, not to mention United's shaky defense and the fine form of the attacking talents on show, we're surely guaranteed goals on Sunday.

4. Judgment Day for Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand once again came under criticism at the weekend after his foul on Charlie led to the free-kick for Liverpool's goal. He was also given the runaround by Luis Suarez.

Ferdinand has been rested for United's Champions League game this week, so presumably will start in the derby. A tough examination awaits, be it in the form of Aguero, Mario Balotelli or Edin Dzeko, and the opportunity for Ferdinand to make a stand.

If he's found wanting, Ferdinand could find himself an increasingly peripheral figure in a United team boasting the youthful talents of Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling.

5. City Will Win the Midfield Battle

In David Silva City boast arguably the best player in the Premier League this season. The Spaniard's vision and creativity will not be matched in central areas by United, who'll be relying on the far more predictable talents of Anderson and Darren Fletcher.

If the battle is fought in the engine room, City should prevail. And that is exactly why...

6. United Will Go Wide at Every Opportunity

With Nani and Ashley Young in such electric form, United will be looking to switch the play with great regularity and get it wide quickly. It's a tactic Ferguson's team have employed well this season and one that negates their relative lack of creativity centrally.

Rooney is among those with the skill and vision to execute such passing. Dropping deep, you'll see him look instinctively for the cross-field pass that sets United away on the attack.

7. Vidic vs. Balotelli: The Re-Match

When the two teams met in the Charity Shield, Mario Balotelli and Nemanja Vidic enjoyed this little set-to.

With Vidic back from injury and Balotelli on a run of four goals in his last four games, hostilities could well be resumed at Old Trafford.

Which man snaps first is anybody's guess, but my money's on Balotelli.

8. Manchester Will Unite in Tevez Hatred

If Roberto Mancini really wanted to punish Carlos Tevez, he should name him as a substitute on Sunday, then ask him to warm up in front of both sets of fans.

You get the feeling both will be carrying some anti-Tevez sentiment into this year's derby, and the Argentine is sure to be the subject of some choice vocal arrangements.

9. United Will Score First

United made an unusually slow start against Liverpool on Saturday, so expect the opposite against City.

Ferguson's team will come flying out of the blocks, and I predict they'll take an early lead through Rooney. Who else?

10. City Will Hold Their Nerve

Mancini's team won't be overwhelmed at Old Trafford. If they fall behind, they'll continue to play their football, and the odds are, they'll find a way past United's unsettled defense.

My overall prediction is a thrilling 2-2 draw, with United going 1-0, then 2-1 down, before a young gun in the mould of Phil Jones or Tom Cleverley fires home a dramatic equaliser and makes themselves a hero in the process.