City head into tomorrow’s derby full of confidence which is due to the club being in a no-lose situation.
Of course there are the usual bragging rights for the supporters at stake but with United claiming their derby match is with Liverpool, it seems the Old Trafford squad are already trying to play the game down before it has been played.
As usual, the blues go into tomorrow’s game at Old Trafford as underdogs despite this derby being one of the most eagerly anticipated for some time. However should the blues encounter their first blip of the season, it will merely be reported that there is still some ground to make up on the club from across the road.
But should the blues win, it will be a sign of just how much progress City have made recently and the analysts will be more concerned by the fact that the champions lost to a side deprived of several key summer signings, most notably Emmanuel Adebayor. United therefore, have all the pressure on their shoulders, which should allow City to play their football confidently.
Craig Bellamy looks like being to sole striker up front for City, but the blues may yet spring a surprise as Carlos Tevez returned to light training earlier this week and the Argentine is desperate to play against his old club. The blues will be without Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz and Robinho as they attempt to emulate Sven Goran Eriksson’s squad of 2008 when the team recorded a 2-1 win at Old Trafford with Darius Vassell and Benjani on the scoresheet.
The Opposition
Last weekend, United recovered from losing a first minute goal to beat Spurs 3-1 at White Hart Lane in a convincing performance but had Paul Scholes sent off in the process. Wayne Rooney is starting to find a bit of form but, despite what United say, they are missing the influence of Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo. They seem a weakened side following their departures but they are also eager to prove the sceptics wrong who have already written them off.
Prediction
The game can go one of two ways. It will either be very open with both teams hitting on the counter attack or it will be very dull. I genuinely think we can beat them on their own patch but I’m going to plump for an entertaining draw. It will mean the blues losing their 100% record but we will still be unbeaten.
United 2-2 City