Nathan Ake's return to full training this week gives City boss plenty of options
Manchester City vs Manchester United
Competition: F.A. Premier League
Date: 4.30 pm, Sunday 7th March 2021
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee: Anthony Taylor Assistants: G Beswick, A Nunn Fourth Official: M Dean VAR: P Tierney
Odds: City 1/2, Draw 10/3, United 6/1
TV: Sky Sports
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Ederson, Steffen, Carson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Ake, Zinchenko, Laporte, Mendy, Cancelo, Garcia, Gundogan, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Silva, Fernandinho, Foden, Sterling, Jesus, Aguero, Torres, Mahrez
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Form guide: WWWWW
Manchester United
Manager: Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer
Squad (from): Henderson, Grant, Bishop, Lindelof, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw, Telles, Wan-Bissaka, Williams, Tuanzebe, Fred, Fernandes, James, Matic, van de Beek, Pogba, McTominay, Cavani, Martial, Rashford, Greenwood, Diallo
Injured: Mata, Jones
Doubtful: Martial, van de Beek, Pogba
Suspended: None
Unavailable: De Gea
Form guide: WWDDD
Pep Guardiola has a fully fit squad to choose from ahead of the Manchester derby, after Nathan Ake returned to full training this week.
“It’s good news for us,” said Guardiola at Friday's press conference.
“Nathan is back. He made the training sessions and felt really good. Everyone is fit. It is important for us and hopefully at the international break everyone comes back really well.”
City have a relatively poor record against United at The Etihad in recent years, having only won one derby at home since 2014 but Guardiola is looking to rectify that anomaly on Sunday.
“It’s important this game,” he added.
“It is, like the previous one, the previous one and the next one.
“I know how difficult United are. I have the feeling they are a better team every season. They haven't lost away for more than one year.
“They always get good results here at Etihad Stadium, but we know the opportunity we have to extend our advantage.
“The Premier League is 38 games, this is one of them. Obviously, they are now real contenders, second in the table.
“Everyone knows how important it is. We will try and win the game.”
City won their last home league game against United 2-1, with Nicolas Otamendi scoring for the Blues. Overall City have won 53 of the 173 games played against United, with 50 draws and 70 defeats.
Predicted line-up: Ederson, Cancelo, Stones, Dias, Zinchenko, Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Sterling, Jesus
Score prediction: City 2 United 1