Manchester City vs Manchester United
English Premier League
City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester- Wednesday 10th November 2010, 19.45 UK time kick off.
The biggest of the midweek Premier League fixtures is, without, a doubt this one. Manchester City and United have both been tipped as contenders for the title and this Manchester derby promises to be as explosive and exciting as ones in the recent past have been.
Man United huffed and puffed their way to a 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side needed two goals from tireless midfielder Park Ji Sung, the latter of which came in second half stoppage time, to pick up three points against Mick McCarthy’s stubborn Wolves side.
Midfielder Owen Hargreaves made his first Man United start at Old Trafford in 777 days but went back to the treatment room just minutes after coming on. Hargreaves and Ryan Giggs are definitely out while Paul Scholes, Nemanja Vidic and Dimitar Berbatov are fighting to recover from a flu virus. Winger Nani is also unlikely to feature with his groin injury.
City beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0 on Sunday to break a three game losing run but will be without young forward Mario Balotelli, who was sent off against the Baggies. Roberto Mancini will be relying heavily on Argentine forward Carlos Tevez, who used to ply his trade for United before moving to City.
Verdict:- United have had the better of City in recent times, but the injuries could play to City’s advantage.
Man City 2-1 Man United ( Tevez, Adebayor/ J.Hernandez)