Manchester City vs. Manchester United (Eastlands, April 17th, 7:30 a.m. ET, ESPN2)

Welcome To Manchester.

I ask you, my loyal readers, when was the last time a Manchester Derby meant so much? If Manchester Unitedlose this match, their bid for a fourth straight EPL title is practically over. If Manchester City lose, they have quite a bit of pressure on them in their quest for fourth place.

Who remembers the last derby earlier in the year? 4-3 ring a bell? Michael Owen at the death? Yeah, that was a memorable one, I’d say. Despite being all the way back in October, not one player on Manchester City has forgotten. Not Carlito, not Craigy boy, not Shay, not no one.



So needless to say, when the hated United travel across town to Eastlands, they won’t be in for a warm welcome. Oh, and City were knocked out of the League Cup thanks to the Red Devils as well. Not as big a deal, but harsh nonetheless.

This match will come down to two men. Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney. The prolific scorers have carried their teams at points this season and without them, things would look a lot different. Each have put in over 20 goals and more will come.

Quick side note: if I were Fergie, I’d like to turn back time and have the chance to sell Dimitar Berbatov last summer instead of letting Tevez walk. Could you imagine how menacing an Apache-Wazza pairing would be this season? Eh, Tevez is just playing with a chip on his shoulder, right?

Anyway, the match itself should be incredible. Lots of open play, the passion and importance of the game will push the teams forward. It’s probably more important forManchester United to win as they are basically done if they don’t. They tend to play a bit better when they have their backs against the wall. This is one of those times.

If Rooney plays like he says he will, I think United can take a result from Eastlands, for no other reason than to put City in their place. Well, that and the title.

TFE Prediction: Could go 4-3 again, with United keeping it’s ownership of the city intact.