Sunday afternoon – a great time for enjoying some high-profile football. Especially if the Manchester derby is on schedule – as part of matchday 28, the Cityzens face the Red Devils at the Etihad Stadium.With the hosts seeking to steer clear of Liverpool at the top and the Red Devils aim to re-ignite their top-four pursuit, nineteen points and three places separate the two bitter rivals in the table.Lately things haven’t been going that smoothly for either of the sides. United went through a goalless draw against relegation battling Watford while City lost to Tottenham two rounds ago only to record a tight win against Everton (helped by some bad refereeing decisions) a little over a week ago.Regardless, three points are three points and Pep Guardiola’s side will have nothing against taking those. The reigning champions certainly had to win ugly on a couple of occasions, and City have seemingly mastered the art of doing so.𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙩 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙩 📊Here’s how City and United match mathematically! 👇#ManCity pic.twitter.com/18yiobtkx1— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 6, 2022 Man City’s six-point gap to Liverpool in the rankings – although the Reds do boast a game in hand – is enough for Guardiola to be reminded of how his side’s most recent home encounter went against the Spurs.Man United on the other hand, failed to have such Premier League luck against Watford as they failed to convert a single one of their bountiful chances on the day. In the Champions League however – fortune favoured United against Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano.Back to domestic football – the Red Devils are just about clinging onto fourth spot but find themselves level on points with West Ham United (who travel to Liverpool on Saturday) while Arsenal have now cut the gap to just two points having played three fewer matches.Something positive from the Watford draw – it was Man United’s sixth game without defeat in all competitions – but they are still waiting for their first away Premier League clean sheet of 2022.Earlier in the season, City cruised to a 2-0 win over United but it would be no surprise if the Red Devils turn up the heat at the Etihad. They have won four of their last five in all competitions on their rivals’ turf, but if they cannot find their best shooting boots – such a record will mean pretty much nothing.A look at the last few clashes between Man United and Man City 👀 pic.twitter.com/flh2aOQToS— International Champions Cup (@IntChampionsCup) March 6, 2022 Injury news are mixed with both sides. Guardiola confirmed at his pre-match press conference that Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias are both unavailable for the derby while Jack Grealish and Gabriel Jesus look fit to be on the pitch from the get-go. John Stones should return to a central role as Dias recovers and Kyle Walker will most probably return to the starting eleven.As for the Reds – Edinson Cavani could be back from his groin problem and Scott McTominay is expected to recover from illness in time to take his rightful place in the middle of the park. When it comes to squad’s biggest star Cristiano Ronaldo – rumours are the Portuguese did not even travel across town to face the Sky Blues and Rangnick had a pretty mysterious press conference ahead of the match. We will need to wait until the opening whistle to see if CR7 is in fact missing the clash.Dias blow for City ahead of the pivotal derby against UnitedRangnick also has a big call to make over Harry Maguire after dropping the skipper last week (Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane will most probably make the backline center back pairing today) while Jadon Sancho’s toothless attacking performance against Watford could present Nemanja Matic in the starting lineup.Man United surely possess the talent needed to produce another shock result here, but Rangnick’s side defensive issues are where City should be looking for their chances.Elanga is the only United player capable of breaking into City’s starting XI, slams Wright-PhillipsPREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 28SaturdayAston Villa – Southampton 4-0 (2-0)/Watkins 9, Douglas Luiz 44, Coutinho 52, Ings 54/Burnley – Chelsea 0-4 (0-0)/James 47, Havertz 52, 55, Pulisic 69/Newcastle United – Brighton 2-1 (2-0)/Fraser 12, Schar 14 – Dunk 55/Norwich City – Brentford 1-3 (0-1)/Pukki 90+2 – Toney 32, 52 pen, 58 pen/Wolverhampton Wanderers – Crystal Palace 0-2 (0-2)/Mateta 19, Zaha 34 pen/Liverpool – West Ham United 1-0 (1-0)/Mane 27/Sunday17:00: (6.00) Watford (3.80) Arsenal (1.60)19:30: (1.40) Man.City (4.50) Man.Utd. (8.50)Monday23:00: (1.65) Tottenham (3.80) Everton (5.50)**odds are subject to change
