April 30, 2012 8:00 PM BST
Etihad Stadium — Manchester
Referee: A. Marriner
Manchester City
Mario Balotelli returns from his 3-match suspension, but after his
sending off against Arsenal, Roberto Mancini hinted that he may not
allow Balotelli another chance in the team before the end of the season.
With Tevez and Aguero in form up front, they are likely to start again,
though Balotelli may make the bench.
Micah Richards is a doubt due to the hamstring injury that kept him out
of the trip to Wolves, and he will be assessed ahead of this game.
Mancini has no other absentees to contend with and may pick an otherwise unchanged lineup.
Probable lineups : Hart, Clichy, Lescott, Kompany, Richards, Jong Barry, Nasri, Aguero, Silva, Tevez. (4-2-3-1).
Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson has no fresh injury concerns that will affect his team
selection, and given that he has stuck, for the large part, with the
same players in recent weeks, he may well do the same once again.
That would mean Nani would start on the left again after a goal and 2
assists against Everton, though Ashley Young could provide some food for
thought for Ferguson.
The United manager is always capable of springing a surprise in the big
games, and he could do so again here after the slip up last week.
Probable lineups : Gea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Scholes, Carrick, Nani, Rooney, Welbeck. (4-4-2).
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Probable Lineups Statistical Comparision
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(85) 43
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Goals
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53 (84)
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(65) 45
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Assists
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44 (67)
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(6.9) 7.1
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Average Ratings
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7.2 (6.9)
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(1.4) 1.3
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Shots pg
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1.5 (1.3)
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(54%) 61%
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Aerial Duel
Success
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44%
(47%)
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(0.7) 0.6
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Dribbles pg
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0.6 (0.9)
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(1.6) 1.4
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Tackles pg
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1.6
(1.8)
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Manchester City have won 21 of their last 22 home matches in Premier League.
Manchester City have scored at least 2 goals in their last 9 home matches in Premier League.
Manchester City have been winning at both half time and full time in their last 3 matches in Premier League.
Manchester City have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 3 matches against Manchester United in all competitions.
Manchester City have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches against Manchester United in all competitions.
Manchester United have scored at least 2 goals in 13 of their last 15 matches in Premier League.
Manchester United are undefeated in 14 of their last 15 matches in Premier League.
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 8 of Manchester City's last 9 home games in Premier League.
Head to Head
| England - FA Cup (FA) | Jan 8, 2012 | Manchester City FC 2 - Man Utd. 3 | |
| England - Premier League | Oct 23, 2011 | Man Utd. 1 - Manchester City FC 6 | |
| FA Community Shield | Aug 7, 2011 | Manchester City FC 2 - Man Utd. 3 | |
| England - FA Cup (FA) | Apr 16, 2011 | Manchester City FC 1 - Man Utd. 0 | |
| England - Premier League | Feb 12, 2011 | Man Utd. 2 - Manchester City FC 1 |
The situation could not be more simple for the two Manchester clubs as they face up here. A win for City will see them leapfrog their rivals and take their place at the top of the Premier League table on goal difference. They are currently 6 goals better off in that regard and any win would increase that margin. On the other hand, any other result would mean United remained at the top of the table going in to the final two matches. A win would take them 6 points clear and leave them needing only 1 point from their last 2 games to secure the title.
City have done well to claw themselves back into the title race. When the gap was 8 points not so long ago, they did what was asked of them and won their matches while results happened to go their way. The return of ex-United striker Carlos Tevez has coincided with 3 wins on the trot, and he may well play a big part against his old club, in deciding where the title will go this season.
United have failed to win 2 of their last 3 matches and lost their last away game 1-0 at Wigan. They will not underestimate their opponents in this game as they did Wigan, though.
City thrashed United 6-1 at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture earlier this season, but much has changed since then. In the interim period, City lost their way somewhat, surrendering their lead at the top of the table, while also crashing out of the FA Cup at home to United in January. United have won two and drawn one of their last four trips to City, and the pressure will most certainly be on the home side. Sir Alex Ferguson has been here before and will know what is asked of his side. They will be satisfied with a draw, but it won't be easy.
Manchester City 2 - 2 Manchester United
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