This much-anticipated fixture will test Manchester City’s capability in the race for the EPL title against Manchester United’s potential and Ferguson’s experience.
The billionaires are enjoying an amazing start in the Premier League.
They have a one-game advantage over their local rivals, yet they share the second place with them on 12 points.
If Manchester City find themselves third in the standings, it is only due to the goal difference factor. After a difficult home fixture against Arsenal – which they convincingly won – the Sky Blues will have to come up against the English Premiership champions, Manchester United.
City broke their clean sheet record in the league last weekend when Arsenal’s Van Persie found the back of their net. Rosicky even added a second goal, and somehow, this rings the bells on Marc Hughes.
The former Blackburn Rovers manager will need to reorganize his defense composed of Richard Dunne, Kolo Toure, Joleon Lescott, and Micah Richards. Hughes is well aware of the threat that Manchester United’s on-fire striker, Wayne Rooney, possesses. Therefore, the manager might try to find a plan to contain the English international in order to minimize Manchester United’s chances of creating numerous chances.
Casualties
Manchester City could suffer from the absence of their super-striker Emmanuel Adebayor if the Togolese gets punished for stamping on Van Persie’s face and teasing Arsenal’s fans during last weekend’s clash.
There is no doubt that Manchester City will find it very hard to struck Manchester United’s defense without the likes of Adebayor. Already, the Sky Blues have cop without the dynamic Carlos Tevez who is sidelined with an injury. Manchester City’s number 10, Robinho, will also be out of this fixture with an injury. Meanwhile, Stephen Ireland is racing against time to be fit for this tantalizing clash.
Quick facts
If Marc Hughes can beat Manchester United at Old Trafford, then they will be only the second side to do so after Liverpool in over seven home league games.
Marc Hughes will also taste a rare victory against his former boss, Sir Alex Ferguson. Above all, Manchester City could move to the top of the standings before Chelsea and Tottenham play later in the evening.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s potential and wisdom has often been tested. Each season, there is a new challenge and most of the times, the Scottish boss overcomes it.
Last week, his side went down as early as inside the first minute of the game when Defoe scored for Spurs. But the Red Devils fought back and triumphed at the end of the day by three goals to one.
Manchester United possess strength in depth and experience which make them very difficult to break down.
Wayne Rooney also provides United with intensity in the midfield and power in front of goal. Besides, despite Van der Sar’s absence in post, Manchester United have a strong back line to deal with any opposition’s forwards.
In midfield, there will be no Paul Scholes; the veteran player received a red card against Tottenham Hotspurs last Saturday. Still, Fletcher, Anderson, and Giggs should be able to set the perfect tone to overwhelm Manchester City’s players.
Manchester United enter this weekend’s derby clash as the favorites although nothing should be taken away from the Sky Blues.
Victory for the Red Devils could let them reach the top of the league standings for the first time this season.
The Blues are on fire and ready to race until the end to clinch the English Premier League title away from their rivals, Manchester United.
It is still too early to draw any conclusions from the fate of both Chelsea and Tottenham. Well, as at now, the Blues have the upper hand in terms of the league standings.
Chelsea defend a 100% record that could have been something else if Drogba and Malouda had not found injury-time winners against Hull City and Stoke respectively.
So far, the dream is well alive for Chelsea’s new boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Playing at Stamford Bridge means a lot to the Blues who have an excellent league record there. The least fans will expect is a draw against Harry Redknapp’s Spurs.
Sunday’s derby will certainly be different to the other Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspurs game in the recent past. The current Chelsea side is arguably at their best since Jose Mourinho’s departure. Meanwhile, Spurs seems to have recovered from their poor shape that saw them struggle to reach the top eight in the past two seasons.
Still, the question remains: Are Tottenham realistic title challengers?
Harry Redknapp will need to learn from his team’s defeat to Manchester United last week. Defoe’s goal seemed to have given Spurs the perfect start. Miserably though for them, Manchester United responded with three goals to seal Spurs’ 3-1 loss at the end of the day.
It takes concentration, strength in depth, and luck to beat giants and to become realistic title challengers.
At such an early stage in the season, Tottenham have already played two of the big four clubs. They controversially won against Liverpool but last week’s defeat to the Red Devils explain that Tottenham are not prepared enough to race for the Premiership title.
So without the likes of the injured playmaker Lucas Modric, Spurs will need to recover from their mistakes with a rare victory at the Bridge.
Such a good result will see Tottenham close the gap on the leaders Chelsea to zero points. Anything else could move them away from the top five.
Players to watch
Aaron Lennon could prove decisive again for Spurs. Jermaine Defoe could put his name on the scoring sheet yet again.
For Chelsea, all eyes will be on Didier Drogba (who was not allowed to play in midweek in Europe), Frank Lampard, and Nicolas Anelka.
