Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
The battle lines have been drawn in Manchester as the race to finish in the top four intensifies, tonight the pressure on both clubs is ramped up further as the third Manchester Derby of the season is just around the corner.
In the two previous head to heads this season, Pep Guardiola drew first blood as City ran out 2-1 winners at Old Trafford back in October, that was a league encounter but fortunes were reversed in the EFL Cup as eventual winners United would brush past their cross town rivals as they moved a step closer to Wembley.
So this is the rubber match and there is no underestimating just how important this game is, it’s not just a race for fourth but a race for third also. Liverpool have left that door wide open after defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
But at the same time both Manchester clubs will be looking over their shoulders after Arsenal picked up maximum points at home to Leicester last night. That now means we have four teams looking to fill two Champions League berths.
United of course still have the plan b – which of course is the Europa League and the backdoor entry to the Champions League that it presents should they go on to win the competition. Many felt that by now they would have put all their eggs into that basket, but it has proved not to be the case.
That is because the top four is still a very viable concern and the will be in ascendency after their win against Burnley on Sunday and the aforementioned defeat for Liverpool at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp’s men did have Champions League qualification in their own hands prior to the weekend, now it’s anyone’s guess as to who will qualify.
Now if like me you are a betting man then I’m sure you will want a flutter not just on who wins the race to finish in the top four but also who will get the Manchester bragging rights this evening Should that be the case then you should look no further than Biggest Free Bets they are the perfect people to help you bet clever and more importantly utilise many of the free bet offers that are currently available.
That question will not be answered tonight but we will certainly get a better idea after the full time whistle blows. City under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola are set for a trophyless season, the first time that the former Barcelona and Bayern boss has drawn a blank in his managerial career.
The reason for that being Sunday’s Wembley woes as they were knocked out of the F.A. Cup at Semi Final stage by Arsenal. City will no doubt feel aggrieved after a suspect decision by the Assistant Referee who ruled out a perfectly legitimate goal.
Be that as it may they failed to take what chances were presented to them when on top and the longer the game went on the more Arsenal come into it. Add injuries to Sergio Aguero and David Silva and it really wasn’t City’s day.
It was quite the war of attrition for City what with two of their star players hobbling off the pitch and they will undergo fitness tests to see if they are fit for this titanic Manchester clash this evening. That said Jose Mourinho has his own injury worries to contend with.
As we now know both Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have suffered cruciate ligament injuries and will be out for the foreseeable future. Losing Ibrahimovic for such a long space of time is undoubtedly a blow but it’s more the backline which is the concern.
Daley Blind and Eric Bailly were paired up together on Sunday and came through the game unscathed and in fairness untested but this will be a different proposition altogether, regardless of who City start in attack.
There could well be a resurrection for Jesus. It may be two weeks late than the usual Easter revival but the Brazilian youngster could be set to make a return after a long absence of his own. Another youngster who could be making a return is that of Marcus Rashford.
He was rested on Sunday, much to the ire of Fantasy Premier League managers around the globe but it was with this fixture in mind and he is ready to be unleashed on City’s defence once again. Let’s not forget it was this encounter last season where he truly announced himself on the main stage.
So on the balance of proceedings who will end up with the bragging rights. United come into this game unbeaten in 23 league matches and they will have their tails up while City will look to bounce back from their cup knockout.
To be honest with you, even though they don’t have Ibrahimovic I think United may well nick this one. A win tonight and qualification for the Champions League is very much in their own hands, it’s an opportunity they will not want to let slip through their fingers. An away win for me.
