Kompany ruled out, whilst Otamendi faces late fitness test
Manchester City vs Manchester United
Competition: F.A. Premier League
Date: 4.00pm, Sunday 20th March 2016
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee: Michael Oliver Assistants: J Brooks, G Beswick Fourth Official: A Marriner
Odds: City 5/6, Draw 11/4, United 7/2
Tickets: Sold out
TV: Sky Sports
Manchester City
Manager: Manuel Pellegrini
Squad (from): Caballero, Hart, Wright, Clichy, Demichelis, Kolarov, Mangala, Otamendi, Sagna, Zabaleta, Fernandinho, Fernando, M Garcia, Navas, Silva, Sterling, Toure, Aguero, Bony, Iheanacho
Injured: Nasri, De Bruyne, Delph, Kompany
Doubtful: Otamendi
Suspended: None
Form guide: DWLLLW
Manchester United
Manager: Louis van Gaal
Squad (from): De Gea, Romero, Darmian, Riley, Rojo, Varela, Valencia, McNair, Borthwick-Jackson, Williams, Fosu-Mensah, Blind, Smalling, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Herrera, Fellaini, Carrick, Weir, Mata, Young, Lingard, Depay, Martial, Rashford
Injured: Rooney, Jones, Keane, Shaw, Young
Doubtful: Herrera, Borthwick-Jackson
Suspended: None
Form guide: LWWLDW
Nicolas Otamendi faces a late fitness test, after sustaining a dead leg during the 0-0 draw with Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday. Vincent Kompany, who suffered a calf injury in the same game, is ruled out, and could possibly miss the remainder of the season. Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis are on standby.
United are just four points behind City in the table, and Sunday's clash could have a huge bearing on the race for Champions League places. However, manager Manuel Pellegrini was keen to play down the importance of the clash.
“I think that a derby is always dangerous regardless of the position of both teams – if it’s in the Premier League it’s doubly dangerous.
“It’s hard because they have good players – United have a very good squad, it doesn’t matter which play or in which way they play, they’re always a dangerous team.
“It’s a target [to finish above United] but it’s not the most important thing, the most important thing is to finish first, then you're above all other teams. It’s a special game and I know the players treat it that way for the fans.
“If you have 24/48 hours more rest, it’s important – it’s not a decisive thing for the game but you can prepare better. That’s the problem with the Europa League as you play on Thursday – it’s not easy to prepare.”
City's last home game against United ended in a 1-0 win, with Sergio Aguero scoring the only goal of the game. Overall City have won 47 of the 159 games played against United, with 48 draws and 64 defeats.
Prediction: City 1 United 1