Manchester City host Manchester United in a derby showdown between two heavyweights on the ropes this weekend.
Pep Guardiola’s side left Crystal Palace with a point last weekend but returned to losing ways midweek, beaten by Juventus to deal a major blow to their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
City have now won just one of their last 10 matches in all competitions, losing seven of those – including the 4-1 thrashing by Sporting Lisbon masterminded by Ruben Amorim, now in the United dugout.
City’s miserable run shows no signs of ending with United looking to capitalise upon their visit to the Etihad on Sunday.
The one small piece of good news for Guardiola is there are no fresh injuries to report following their midweek trip to Italy.
The champions of course remain without Rodri but Mateo Kovacic has returned to training and could be in contention to make his return in midfield this weekend.
There will be at least one enforced change with Rico Lewis set to serve a suspension following his red card at Selhurst Park.
Guardiola will have another big decision to make in goal having dropped Ederson from his Premier League starting XI for games against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Palace. The City boss appears ready to stick with his decision and keep Stefan Ortega in goal.
The optimism that followed Amorim’s appointment at United has been quelled following back-to-back league defeats to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest – with Dan Ashworth’s shock departure also adding to the feeling of uncertainty that still lingers around Old Trafford.
United attempted to get back on track against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on Thursday night with the head coach again ringing in changes as part of his rotation policy.
Rasmus Hojlund came off the bench to spare United’s blushes with two goals to rescue all three points with Amad Diallo again playing a key role in attack.
Mason Mount, coming off the bench to replace the disappointing Joshua Zirkzee, had a positive impact on the game and will be hoping to earn a start at the Etihad.
With Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof both available again, United’s injury situation is looking rosier than it has done in quiet some time with Luke Shaw their only absentee.
Predicted Man City XI to face Man Utd
Ortega, Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Bernardo, Gundogan, Savio, de Bruyne, Doku, Haaland
Predicted Man Utd XI to face Man City
Onana, Yoro, de Ligt, Martinez, Mazraoui, Mainoo, Ugarte, Dalot, Diallo, Fernandes, Hojlund
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