Both City and United head into a very highly anticipated Manchester derby considerably healthy. Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany admits that beating Manchester United at home, to clinch the Premier League title, would mean the world to City supporters. United already come into this one looking to avenge their 2-1 home loss to City on December 10, but now have all the added motivation that one could ever ask for.
Let’s take a look at who could be set to miss out, who’s a doubt and who should be back in action; for both sides.
City will only potentially be missing striker Sergio Aguero and long-term absentee Benjamin Mendy (both knee). Aguero would obviously be a huge loss, as he didn’t travel with the team to the Champions League loss at Liverpool. City manager Pep Guardiola was coy about the chances of Aguero playing.
Aguero has been out for a few weeks now and may be reintroduced in a limited role.
United are similarly looking really good right now on the fitness front as Phil Jones (thigh) is nearing a return. Otherwise, it is just back up goalkeeper Sergio Romero (knee) and versatile defender Daley Blind (ankle) on the sidelines.
On a side note, part of Kevin De Bruyne’s ballot for his PFA Team of the Year leaked and he selected two members of United- David de Gea and Antonio Valencia.
Manager Press Conference Videos: Mourinho at this link, Guardiola at this link
United starting XI prediction: go to this link
City Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Odds via Bet365 City 17/20 United 3/1 Draw 13/5
Prediction: Man City 0, United 0
Mourinho will pull off one of his classic “park the bus” maneuver and thus delay the inevitable celebration until the next weekend.
As always, feel free to post to your own City and/or United starting XI predictions, as well as your score predictions, in the comments section below.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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