Manchester City: Manchester United Derby Match Is a Must-Win for the Visitors

Manchester City holds a slight two-point advantage over crosstown rivals Manchester United atop the Premier League table. If City wants to claim the 2011-12 title, they need to win their derby match on Sunday.

Not only would a win give City three huge points, the confidence boost would even greater. After some sluggish play in the UEFA Champions League the past few weeks, City need this win more than United does. 

The Red Devils have the confidence that they can come back late in the season when they go on their yearly title push. City is rarely in a title race for a full season, and need to build a lead at the top of the table to relax throughout the season.

City certainly has the offensive firepower to take down United this weekend.

Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko are two fantastic forwards who have been in fine form this season, and the United central defense partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic will have their hands full for 90 minutes.

City has scored 27 goals and allowed only six this season, and they will need another quality performance to beat United. 

The key for City is to get off to a great start by taking an early lead and forcing United to chase the game. Getting the crowd into the game early will really help push the City players to play inspired football for a full match.

Manchester City needs this win not only for a five-point lead atop the Premier League table; they need the victory to prove to themselves and the football world that they are the class of England.

City beat United last season in the FA Cup en route to the title, and this weekend's game may help propel them to a league title this season.

If City are real title contenders, they will prove it to us on Sunday versus the defending champions.