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As we reach the business end of the Premier League season, the Manchester Derby is arguably the most thrilling fixture still unchecked in the list. Jose Mourinho's side will take a short trip to the Etihad Stadium for the Matchday 32 clash. In the reverse fixture, City edged out United in what was a dominating performance but largely remembered as a 'comedy of errors'. League leaders, City, with 84 points are analytically already champions of England but a victory over their local rivals would officially crown the Sky Blues as winners.
Sergio Aguero's goal against Queen's Park Rangers in the 2012-2013 league season stripped United off a league title, and the Reds would be certain to delay City's crowning, although the crowing moment is a mere formality.
Not only favourites to win the Premier League, but also the Champions League, Manchester City are favourites to edge out United at the Etihad Stadium.
Let's take a look at five factors that back City.
#1 Pep Guardiola vs Jose Mourinho
Two footballing philosophies will clash once again as these two big names command their respective teams from the dugout under the same floodlight. The rivalry between the duo picked momentum during their times in Spain due to the conflicting ideologies of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. Guardiola, a born Barcelona supporter and former player, edged out Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid several times, most notably in a 5-0 thrashing of the former at the Camp Nou.
Looking to improve his CV, Guardiola jumped ship and followed the Portuguese to the Premier League. As they both lock horns, Mourinho's defensive tactics with United and Guardiola's possession play would once again be put to a test in Manchester.
Back in December, The Independent made a bold claim by stating the Mourinho-Guardiola debate to be 'one-sided' with Pep winning it by a country mile, however, tenacious as he is, Mourinho would be ready to make amends for his recent bad form against the Catalan. The managerial clash is as hyped as is the Manchester Derby.
#2 Home advantage
Given the possibility of lifting the Premier League trophy when their local rivals could do nothing but applaud their talents, Manchester City have the thrive and ambition to kill the league in front of their home crowd. It was the strong support at the Etihad which lifted the spirits of the City players during their league victory against Queens Park Rangers, a match which was filled with emotions.
Moreover, derbies like the Manchester Derby are much more than a showcase of sporting talents. When two different sides of the city collide and support waves echo throughout the stadium, the players are filled with a determination unmatched.
Statistically, Manchester City is the strongest side at home. The Cityzens have collected 43 points on home soil all season and have drawn just one out of their 15 games at the Etihad. United, second on the league table, have had a miserable time away from Old Trafford. The Red Devils have managed to win just eight of their fifteen outings, scoring just 25 goals.
Can home advantage tilt the momentum towards their fierce opponents?
#3 De Gea vs Ederson
The Spaniard and the Brazilian have earned their bragging rights to be counted among the elite goalkeepers in world football at the moment. However, it is the United number one who comes out on top when it comes to goal-saving heroics, but Ederson outperforms De Gea when it comes to ball distribution and leading the attack from the back.
With 15 clean sheets in the league this season, Manchester City closely follow United, who have earned 16, but the Blues have conceded two fewer goals than their local rivals all-league season. Both goalkeepers would be tested to the best of their abilities. City's ruthless attack and United's prowess on the counter and physical superiority are definitely going to trouble the men between the sticks.
As it is with all of the teams following Sir Johan Cruyff's philosophy, Ederson's ball distribution would be highly instrumental for Pep Guardiola to break down Jose Mourinho's man-marking.
2017-2018 League Statistics [de Gea - Ederson] (Source: Squawka)
Clean Sheets: 16 - 14
Goals Conceded: 23 - 21
Avg Saves per Goal: 4.24 - 2.37
Distribution Accuracy: 62% - 87%
#4 Form
When the stakes are high, form and mentality play a significant role in shaping up results for any team across the world. The Manchester Clubs are two of the most influential clubs in world football, and even slightly disappointing results are weighed massively by critics and pundits. Mathematically, Pep Guardiola has outperformed Jose Mourinho's United this season. On paper, both teams share a virtually similar run of form in the last couple of matches across all competitions but the fact that Guardiola's men are still alive and strong in Europe makes them favourites over the other side of Manchester.
In their last ten games, United have scored 16 goals whereas City has managed to score 22 times within the same time period. On the other side of the pitch, United allowed the opponents to score past them 7 times while the Blues have conceded just five goals.
Also considering the level of opponents, City has defeated the likes of Chelsea, FC Basel, Leicester City, and Arsenal (twice) in their last few games. United, on the other hand, defeated Chelsea and Liverpool but succumbed to Sevilla in the Champions League.
#5 Fixture congestion
In the penultimate month of league football, fatigue plays a crucial role in determining the result of any match. Just off from an international break, a sense of tiredness and fatigue were discovered in several players across Europe. While City is alive in both the Champions League and the Premier League, United only have to care about domestic matches from now until the end of the season.
On paper, Manchester City face a tough test next week which could potentially decide how the finale of their season turns out to be. Facing three of the Big Six within a span of ten days would certainly challenge Guardiola's men to the best of their abilities. United, on the other hand, have the luxury of massive breaks, something which is very rare in the month of April.
Can Manchester City greet their fans with another league title with victory against the Red Devils and ride on the momentum of their domestic achievements to achieve European glory or will United put pride over their fears and win the match as underdogs?
The Derby is usually contested to decide the colour Manchester will be painted in the next morning but this time around the colour of England could be decided by the derby!
