Manchester United vs. Manchester City

Manchester United vs. Manchester City
Premier League, Old Trafford
September 20, 8.30 EST

United Projected Starting XI:
-----------------Foster-----------------
---O'Shea--Ferdinand--Vidic----Evra----
--Valencia---Fletcher----Giggs---Nani--
----------Rooney------Berbatov-----------

Players to Watch:
Manchester United: Dimitar Berbatov - We've yet to really see Berbatov have an exceptional game this season, but tomorrow against City may be the perfect opportunity. He should start playing alongside Rooney something he hasn't gotten the opportunity to do for a whole game since August. Expect Berbatov to be a constant threat.

Manchester City: Joeleon Lescott - City's new signing will be up against one of the best attacking forces in the league this weekend, and it will be a big test for the pairing of Touré and Lescott who gave up two goals to Arsenal. Lescott will have to prove he was worth the eighteen million pounds against United.

Prediction:
Manchester United 3:0 Manchester City
Goals: Wayne Rooney x2, Dimitar Berbatov

The prediction probably has a lot to do with United bias and City hate, but I expect United to be really up for this one and crush an understrength City. The City back four looked shaky against Arsenal and United were brilliant going forward against Tottenham. A similar performance would be nice for Untied against City.

Rooney always seems to get fired up for these big matches against rivals, and considering the form he is on at the moment I wouldn't be surprised to see him have another good performance. Rooney will be happy to finally be playing up front with Berbatov for an extended period of time and will be hoping to put constant pressure on the City defenders.

A lot of the game will rely on how City defend against the central midfielder paired with Fletcher whether that is Anderson or Giggs. They will play as a more attacking midfielder and it will be de Jong's duty to shut them down. If de Jong is able to contain them it will be much more difficult for United to dominate the game as they did against Spurs.

This game has been the most anticipated game of the Premier League so far, and the atmosphere will be electric at Old Trafford. It will be a very meangingful early season test for both teams.