How City will look to tackle sleeping neighbours in vital Premier League clash.
Manchester City still have some work to do if they want to catch up to current league leaders Chelsea, and with one eye on the Champions League next week the club will have to be careful about stretching their resources. United may be inconsistent at the moment, but form is irrelevant in derby games, and this City side will need to be at their best in order to come out on top.
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GK: Joe Hart
Hart has the experience of Manchester derbies that Caballero lacks, and has been in good form lately.
LB: Gael Clichy
The Frenchman has undergone somewhat of a renaissance this season, and will continue to keep his spot against United.
CB: Eliaquim Mangala
There is a player in there, but he is far from the finished article. Could struggle against the likes of RVP and Falcao.
CB: Vincent Kompany
The Belgian skipper will have his hands full with looking after Mangala and trying to shut down United’s attacking talent.
RB: Pablo Zabaleta
Zabaleta is a calming influence on his side, and these are usually the games he thrives in.
CM: Fernando
The Brazilian will look to keep Di Maria quiet, though that could prove easier said than done.
CM: Yaya Toure
Toure could come to dominate the middle of the park, though Di Maria and Herrera will be difficult to keep track of all afternoon.
LW: Jesus Navas
The Spaniard will come in for injured compatriot David Silva, who now faces three weeks on the sidelines.
RW: James Milner
Milner’s industry and crossing will come in handy for the Citizens, and he would be a real tormentor of Luke Shaw.
ST: Edin Dzeko
The big Bosnian will provide a stern physical test for Chris Smalling, as well as latching onto the end of low drives across the box.
ST: Sergio Aguero
Aguero is the kind of player that can win a game all on his own, and a moment of magic from the Argentine is all it would take to swing a favourable result their way.
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