VERDICT ON THE MACHESTER DERBY

For the second time this season the city of Manchester will be divided, while the whole world keep still and watch the two teams from the city battle for supremacy.
Manchester City go into this 164th Manchester derby 15points behind their bitter rival and neighbour Manchester United. Having given up on the premier league title City will definitely want to prove a point, just as the Manager Roberto Mancini has clearly said"Man utd are not 15points better than we" that obviously is a war cry.

  United on the other hand will see this fixture from many perspective.
1. They will view it as an opportunity to revenge the 6 - 1 crushing they suffered at the hands of their Monday night opponent at this same fixture last season.
2. United will also see it as an opportunity to cement their claim as the front runner in this season's premier league title chase.
3. Man utd knowing fully well they may not be able to hand City a 6 - 1 defeat, they will likely want to use this opportunity to extend their lead over City to 18points and so console themselves after the humiliating 6 - 1 defeat against City in front of their fans last season.
   Whatever the case may be this fixture promises to be an eventful fixture, but am tempted to say that whichever way both teams approach the game I see United coming out on top for the second time this season after the dramatic winner by Van Persie at the Etihad stadium early in the season.
Statistically speaking, This is going to be the 164th Manchester derbies, and United have the upper hand by winning 68(41.72%) while City have won 45(27.67%) and a total of 50 draws(30.67%).
Manchester City have scored a total of 221 goals(1.35 goals per game) against United's 238 goals(1.45goals per game)

Coming to the premier league, both teams have met 31times with United winning 18 and scoring 51goals while City have won just 7 and scored 37goals.
   The two Manchester clubs are two of the three teams yet to loose in the premier League this season when they have taken the lead( Arsenal are the other).
The champions travel to Old trafford facing a team in a rich vein of form having won their last 7 premier League games and are unbeaten in their last 18, only drawing 2 along the way and with City having one eye on the impending semi-final clash against Chelsea at Wembley next week. Manchester United will no doubt fancy this opportunity to pay City back in their own coin.