Roberto Mancini

City face Manchester United at Eastlands on Saturday with both sides looking for the points for different reasons. City are hoping to consolidate their current standing of fourth in the League whilst United will be hoping to keep the pressure on Chelsea at the top of the table.

United will be hoping to bounce back against their local rivals after picking up a disappointing point in a goalless draw at Blackburn last Sunday. This has seen United’s title odds lengthen to 13/2 after Chelsea posted a 1-0 success against Bolton at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening. The Blues are now 1/8 to secure their first League title since 2006 as they are now four points ahead of United at the top of the table.

Tottenham Hotspur kept up the pressure on City in the race for fourth by beating local rivals Arsenal in the North London derby on Wednesday evening. Their 2-1 success propelled them to fifth in the table, one point and one place behind City.  In the process, they severely dented Arsenal’s title hopes as the Gunners now lie six points behind Chelsea. They are 20/1 outsiders to win the League.

Many see the race for fourth being between City and Spurs, with some citing the clash at Eastlands between the two sides on May 5 as being pivotal in the battle for the final Champions League spot. However, both City and Spurs face tough run-ins, meaning that Liverpool and Aston Villa could mount a late surge if they can improve their consistency. Those two sides are 20/1 and 25/1 to finish fourth respectively. Meanwhile, Spurs are 2/1 second favourites to secure Champions League football for next season, with City 4/9 favourites.

City have scored 14 goals in the last three games and Roberto Mancini feels that goal difference could be crucial in the final reckoning. City have a current goal difference of 28, whilst Spurs have 27, and Mancini is hoping to retain this advantage.

Speaking to the Manchester City website, Mancini stated; “We know that it is vital we have a good goal difference because that could possibly decide who finishes in fourth place.

“We have been scoring a few goals in recent weeks, which is good. There is no reason we cannot continue to keep scoring if we play in the manner we have been of late, no matter the opposition.”

The big news ahead of Saturday’s Manchester derby is the potential return of Wayne Bridge. The left-back has missed the last five matches after undergoing a hernia operation and could bolster City’s back line. Meanwhile, England fans will be waiting to see if Wayne Rooney is on the team sheet after missing the last few games with an ankle injury.

Manchester City are 17/10 to get the win they need to consolidate fourth place whilst United are 11/8 to increase the pressure on Chelsea with a three point display. The draw is 12/5.

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