It is a novelty to see Manchester City enter a derby match in the league where their main ambition is no longer simply to be a hindrance to United. The aim is to hold tight to the last of the Champions League spots. Roberto Mancini's side have begun to score freely, even against the usually obstinate Birmingham City. However, Sir Alex Ferguson knows the value of causing a setback to potential rivals in the years ahead and, of course, United's prospects of retaining the title have not vanished yet, despite two disappointing results. Kevin McCarra
Venue City of Manchester Stadium, Saturday 12.45pm
Tickets £44-45 (www.mcfc.co.uk)
Last season Manchester City 0 Manchester Utd 1
Referee M Atkinson
This season's matches 27 Y110, R4, 4.22 cards per game
Odds Manchester City 15-8 Manchester Utd 6-4 Draw 5-2
Manchester City
Subs from Taylor, Nielsen, Garrido, Boyata, Santa Cruz, Zabaleta, Ibrahim, Wright-Phillips, Vieira, Nimely, Ireland, Cunningham, Petrov
Doubtful Bridge (hernia), Ireland (ankle), Petrov (knee), Vieira (knee)
Injured Richards (knee, 24 Apr), Sylvinho (calf, 24 Apr), Lescott (hamstring, 5 May), M Johnson (knee, Aug)
Suspended None
Form guide WWWLWD
Disciplinary record Y47 R2
Leading scorer Tevez 22
Manchester United
Subs from Foster, Kuszczak, Giggs, Carrick, J Evans, Neville, Gibson, Fábio, Obertan, Diouf, O'Shea, Park, Hargreaves, Macheda, De Laet
Doubtful Ferdinand (groin), Giggs (hamstring), Rooney (ankle)
Injured Brown (foot, 24 Apr), Owen (hamstring, Aug), Welbeck (knee, Aug), Anderson (knee, Sep)
Suspended None
Form guide DLWWWW
Disciplinary record Y46 R4
Leading scorer Rooney 26
Match pointers
• If this match ends in a draw, it will be the 50th of all time between these sides from a total of 154 meetings in all competitions
• City have kept one clean sheet in their last 12 home league encounters with United
• This could be the first season for 20 years that United finish with more top-flight defeats than City
• Shaun Wright-Phillips will be making his 205th Premier League appearance if selected
• Ryan Giggs made his first league start for United against City in May 1991 and he has appeared in all 28 league Manchester derbies since
