Preview: United v City - Is tonight the night United hand Liverpool the title?

Is tonight the night we get a clearer picture as to where the Premier League trophy is going?

Manchester City will return to the top of the Premier League table this evening with victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Only a win will take the Champions back to the summit, anything else puts the title in Liverpool's hands.

United themselves have a battle on their hands. After Sunday's 4-0 defeat at Everton the Red Devils are 6th in the table and trail Chelsea by there points in the battle to qualify for the Champions League.

After the embarrassment of Sunday's defeat at Goodison Park, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes the Derby is the best fixture for a reaction. "It was the best game we could ask for now. The players are hurting. We had a meeting after the game and you could see all the players were really hurt by that performance and the City game is perfect." Said the United boss in his pre-match press conference.

Pep Guardiola has also been speaking to the media ahead of the game and he believes his side have to win all four games if they are to retain their title. He said "We have to win four games to retain our title. It's not an easy place to go but it's a nice place to go, we know what we need to do."

Luke Shaw is available after missing Sunday's defeat at Everton, while Phil Jones is doubtful after going off injured at Goodison Park.

For City, Kevin De Bruyne is out and will play no part after he went off injured in Saturday's win over Spurs.

This will be the 160th and possibly biggest league meeting of the sides in recent years. United have won 62 of the previous 159 with City winning 46. There have been 51 draws.

City have won their last two visits to Old Trafford and won the meeting between the sides in November. It's worth noting that United have not lost home and away to the same opponent since Swansea in 2014/15.

Prediction

This is a big game for both of these sides. City need the win to return to the top of the league but United need the points for a top four place.

Man United need a response to that performance on Easter Sunday. City were nervous against Spurs and I can see that carrying through here. Im going for a draw.

United 2-2 City

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