EPL Week 32 Sunday Preview

DERBY SUNDAY, QPR HOST CHELSEA, UNITED AND CITY TO BATTLE AT THE THEATER OF DREAMS

MANCHESTER UNITED VS MANCHESTER CITY

Two colors will fill the streets of Manchester this, the red of United and the sky blue of their cross town neighbors City as the battle to claim Manchester takes center stage but only one color will be left lighting the streets, will it be red or sky blue?

Their is no doubt United are the in form side of the two but how City enjoy this clash, out of form or not, I'm sure we'll see the best of City. United have only won one of the last five meetings and have only netted twice in the previous clashes against their rivals. They won't have picked a better time to face the Champions, confidence is low and mentally weak, City are vulnerable. United on the other hand are full of confidence and riding high, dangerous is what they are at the moment.

City have dominated this fixture for the best part of four seasons and have stumped a sky blue mark of authority all over Manchester. They go into this match 4th in the table and crucial players out of form i.e Sergio Aguero. A performance reminiscent of the display against Crystal Palace where the build up play was labored, slow and sluggish, they'll be walking off the Old Trafford pitch with their heads down and tails tucked in between their legs.

City are in poor form, but let's not focus on the negatives because this is a side that can give a good hammering to the best of best on their day, United fans will know too well about that. If Pellegrini get's his formation and tactics right, I really fancy City to walk away with 3 points today but if that all goes wrong, Manchester will be all red after all is said and done.

United haven't been anything close to perfect but they are getting the job done both at home and away from home. They know it's City, they are well aware it won't be a stroll in the park. Both teams need to win, Arsenal's victory over Burnley yesterday has made this game even more important than it already was. A draw will suit the Gunners, as they'll have some breathing space between them and the challengers.

United welcome back Robin Van Persie to the squad following an ankle injury but defenders Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw will miss out due to illness and a hamstring injury.

City's captain Kompany faces a late fitness test, while strike duo Wilfried Bony (ankle and knee) and Stevan Jovetic (muscle strain) are sidelined.


Probable line ups

Manchester United (3-5-2)
De Gea; Jones, Evans, Rojo; Valencia, Herrera, Blind, Fellaini, Young; Di Maria, Rooney.

Manchester City (4-4-2)
Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov; Nasri, Fernandinho, Toure, Silva; Dzeko, Aguero.


Prediction; Manchester United 2-2 Manchester City

This is a hard one to call, United are in form, City just know how to play against them, so I'm stuck in between. A score draw looks likely given both teams fluency in attack but at the back there are question marks over both sides.

If LVG goes with his preferred 3-5-2 formation, I see them losing especially if City deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation to allow Yaya the freedom to steam roll forward. All in all, it's a must win game for both side and it will come down to who is the more hungrier between them.


QPR vs CHELSEA

The West London derby will be the early kick off today as QPR entertain Chelsea at Loftus road. Rangers are still fighting for survival and were very impressive last time out at Aston Villa where they recorded a 3-3 draw and at West Brom where they won 4-1. Of course their opponents today are of a different caliber, but they'll be going into this one full of confidence.

QPR sit two points adrift of safety while their opponents are comfortable at the top of the table four points ahead of second place Arsenal with two games in hand. With games running out, QPR will be aware that they have limited time to escape the drop and will be wanting all 3 points today.

Mourinho's men can afford a slip up and still feel comfortable at the top, but with fixtures against United, Arsenal and Liverpool to come, they know it's far from won yet.

Diego Costa will miss the clash due to a hamstring injury while playmaker Cesc Fabregas will have a protective mask on after breaking his nose and along side Nemanja Matic is one booking away from a two match ban with United and Arsenal up next.

QPR have a long list of absentees and the most crucial are Eduardo Vargas, Leroy Fer, Rio Ferdinand and Richard Dunne who will all miss the match today due to various injuries.

Prediction; QPR 1-3 Chelsea

Hard to see Chelsea slipping up in this one, and with Hazard on banging form, another win is written on the cards.