Manchester City carry a huge psychological advantage into this match, having just created a three-point advantage at the Premiership summit, while trashing their opponents 6:1 in their last meeting.

The Red Devils, on the other hand, desperately need to kick-start their season after the embarrassing defeats to Blackburn and Newcastle and what better way to do that than beat fierce rivals away from home.

Manchester City suffered a big dip in form of late, following the amazing start to the season, but Roberto Mancini’s side weren’t punished for their slip-ups and are still looking down on their title rivals from the top of the standings.

Facing in-form Liverpool after back to back slip-ups against West Brom and Sunderland, the Citizens were in for a difficult task, but they managed to win the game with relative ease and thus restored some of the lost confidence.

However, boss Mancini is not without problems as Kolo and Yaya Toure have left Etihad to join Ivory Coast squad for African Cup of Nations, whereas Gareth Barry is suspended for this clash.

With Mario Balotelli struggling with an ankle injury and the Carling Cup semi-final clash with Liverpool due just three days later, odds of 2.15 (23/20) offered on home win at Victor Chandler do not look too tempting.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Hart – Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov – Milner, De Jong – Johnson, Aguero, Silva – Dzeko.

Just when it seemed that Manchester United had recovered from numerous setbacks this season, the Red Devils have suffered a new dip in form that could end up costing them dearly come end of the season.

Their four-match winning run came to an abrupt end as struggling Blackburn managed to take all three points from Old Trafford, but it is the 3:0 defeat at St James Park that got everyone at the club worried for the outcome of the season.

Yes, Fergie’s men entered the Newcastle clash without a host of first team players, but that cannot be an excuse for such a dismal performance against an average Premier League side.

There are no doubts that the Red Devils will now give their best to beat Manchester City and thus return to the right track, but odds of 3.60 (13/5) offered by William Hill on away win reflect their chances in this clash.

Chris Smalling is doubtful with illness, but Darren Fletcher, Michael Owen, Nemanja Vidic, Ashley Young, Jonny Evans, Tom Cleverley and Fabio remain sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Lindegaard – Valencia, Jones, Ferdinand, Evra – Nani, Carrick, Anderson, Park – Welbeck, Rooney.