[MVF]

vs

It's the one we all look forward to.
Adebayor + Robinho + Benjani definately out. Tevez probably out.
I'm confident about at least getting a draw however.
What are we all thinking?

[thetoffees]

Everton fan in peace here!

You boys looking forward to this one????

Surely the biggest Manchester derby in years,

to give you a confidence boost I saw the Premier League blog listing six reason why City will win on Sunday.

Predictions?

I think you boys could get a result, 1-2 I reckon, that will really stir things up at the top of the league!

[CityBlues]

Cautiously optomistic I think is the phrase here.

Negatives definitely are, no Adebayor, no Robinho, probably no Tevez. Getting a result will be difficult to say the least, although I could see us drawing in an 1-1 or 0-0 type scenario I am not counting on us winning this one. One thing I will say is, it's not the end of the world if we do end up losing this match. Our upcoming schedule is quite favorable for us: (League Matches) West Ham(H), Villa(A), Wigan(A), Fulham(H), Birmingham(A), Burnley(H). Out of these I can see at least 14 points if not more, which leads us all the way to late November against Liverpool, in which we very well could be 4th or higher.

Anyhow, the lineup for this one should be interesting. I think we will see Bellamy as a lone striker up top with a 5 man midfield. Barry, SWP are locks, Ireland will likely start, personally I think De Jong is a MUST HAVE against United in terms of disrupting their midfield. We may see Petrov and/or Weiss make it in on one of the wings? Throwing Weiss in the fire is an exciting prospect to me, he is capable of brilliant football. The key will be midfield, if we can stump them and keep possesion generally even we have a shot. De Jong and Barry are important in this respect, I would almost say throw another D-Mid on (Kompany comes to mind, oh how I miss him!), but we really don't have too many options. If Ireland can deliver in an attack mid position with Barry and De Jong behind that would be optimal. Tracking back is also a must. Defensively, we will see the same Bridge, Lescott, Toure, Richards combo, I have few complaints here as they seem to be gelling a bit more now.

Not trying to put all my hopes and dreams into the match, I actually don't feel that this match is as critical to our season as it used to be. When we had nothing to play for beating United was our one chance for glory, now that we're competitive it takes some of the luster away for me personally. Although, I hate United and always will want to see them suffer I would be great with a draw, over the moon with a win, and slightly disappointed with a loss, but not devastated.

Come on you blues!

[EstebanLugo]

I could see City winning without those absences, but with all the top strikers missing, I think it's going to be a draw against this weakened version of United.

Any chances we see Roque Santa Cruz's debut?

[MLSn00b]

I'm thinking that we'll probably get a draw as well.

[pazzmore]

I agree with getting men behind the ball and controlling the game with possession. You can always count on excitement from SWP, Petrov and Young Vlad (whom I would LOVE to see get minutes in this one). And you can always expect 100% effort from Bellamy and Ireland. Our defense will hold strong... I think we have enough bench to do well in this. It will come down to how Hughes decides to play it.


Can you see Tevez coming off the bench in the 75th to score the winning goal? I CAN!!

[thejuggernaut]

Originally Posted by EstebanLugo

I could see City winning without those absences, but with all the top strikers missing, I think it's going to be a draw against this weakened version of United.

Any chances we see Roque Santa Cruz's debut?

I doubt it.

[chinesefootballfan]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns...ngland&cc=5901

Big mistake for Tevez. Unlike a lot of fans, I treat this game as just one game. If he gets hurt and is out for 3 months, it will be a big blow for us and the only people laughing about this are Rags Fans.

You have nothing to prove Tevez. It's pride before the fall. You're hurt and are not scheduled to be back until at least next week. We need you for the remaining 33 games. Winning against United is the same as winning against Portsmouth, it gives you 3 points. Fight another day when you are not injured.

[pazzmore]

ChineseFootballer... I think Hughes and the MCFC medical staff understand exactly what you are saying and would not give him the go-ahead unless he is clear of injury.

[thejuggernaut]

Originally Posted by thetoffees

Surely the biggest Manchester derby in years,

For me it's the least biggest.

No one hates Scum more then I do but the Manchester Derby for years has always been the outlet for me, to get out the stress of perhaps a relegation dabbling year. I remember being so proud when Sven did the double over those bastards and although they still won the league, they didn't get a single point off of us. There was also a year under pearce, where we beat and tied them and I was a man possesed.

But the fact is, Our objectives have changed since them. And to be very frank... If united have to beat Arsenal or Liverpool later in the year to ensure us making the CL... well goddamnit... I guess i'm rooting for the hack first force.

Also Scumunited won the league last year with an abismal record vs the other top four. What this says to me, is that the league is not won at Old Trafford... it's won at White Hart Lane or at The Reebok. And I'm not saying we have a chance to win the league, but we certainly have a chance to make the top four... and winning the Game's your supposed to is top priority, losing to United away is really not a big deal.