Sunday, November 2, 2014
Kick-off : 7 pm Sri Lankan Time.
Manchester City desperately require victory following the three-match wobble that has included defeat in the past two games plus a draw. The nightmare scenario for the champions is to go down to Manchester United before their home crowd. Do so and Manuel Pellegrini will have a crisis on his hands ahead of the Champions League match against CSKA Moscow on Wednesday. The blue half of Manchester have a fantastic recent record over their illustrious rivals, with the ‘noisy neighbours’ emerging victorious from five of the last six encounters.
United will be buoyed by a much improved performance against table-topping Chelsea last time out, with Robin van Persie getting on the scoresheet to give his own confidence a major boost after some lacklustre displays.
Despite the draw last week, the 20-time top flight champions have made their worst start to a Premier League season, gaining just 13 points from their opening nine games. Last season under David Moyes, they had 14 points.
Defensive frailties have been the catalyst for such a slow start, with injuries blamed for a lack of continuity within the United rearguard. De Gea may have to repeat his heroics from United’s last win over Everton at the beginning of October if his side are to get anything from their short trip to the Etihad, with Louis van Gaal desperate to kick-start United’s season, and fans in need of a welcome boost.
Manchester City midfielder David Silva will miss Sunday's derby against Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League after being ruled out for around three weeks with a knee injury.
Fellow midfielder Yaya Touré is expected to feature despite being withdrawn during Wednesday's Capital One Cup loss to Newcastle amid concerns about a groin problem.
Former England midfielder Frank Lampard is still expected to be absent with a thigh injury but playmaker Samir Nasri appeared to make a successful return in midweek from groin surgery.
United boss Van Gaal will have to decide whether Wayne Rooney is worthy of a starting place after serving his suspension for his dismissal against West Ham.
The Red Devils' skipper could replace Juan Mata, who has not made the most of his chance in Rooney's absence. Radamel Falcao and Phil Jones will both be absent on Sunday, but Jonny Evans could make a return after recovering from a ankle injury.
- Yaya Toure has scored in three of his last four Premier League appearances against Man Utd.
- Man City have won the last three Manchester derbies in the Premier League. They have not won four in a row in the league since December 1970.
- Wayne Rooney is the top scorer in Manchester derbies, both overall and in the Premier League – 11 in all comps and eight in the Premier League.
- Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero have both scored four goals in five Premier League appearances against United.
Source: The Guardian, Telegraph, Sky Sports
