Squad sheets: Manchester City v Manchester United

It is a novelty to see Manchester City enter a derby match in the league where their main ambition is no longer simply to be a hindrance to United. The aim is to hold tight to the last of the Champions League spots. Roberto Mancini's side have begun to score freely, even against the usually obstinate Birmingham City. However, Sir Alex Ferguson knows the value of causing a setback to potential rivals in the years ahead and, of course, United's prospects of retaining the title have not vanished yet, despite two disappointing results. Kevin McCarra Venue City of Manchester Stadium, Saturday 12.45pm Tickets £44-45 (www.mcfc.co.uk) Last season Manchester City 0 Manchester Utd 1 Referee M Atkinson This season's matches 27 Y 110, R 4, 4.22 cards per game Odds Manchester City 15-8 Manchester Utd 6-4 Draw 5-2 Manchester City Subs from Taylor, Nielsen, Garrido, Boyata, Santa Cruz, Zabaleta, Ibrahim, Wright-Phillips, Vieira, Nimely, Ireland, Cunningham, Petrov Doubtful Bridge (hernia), Ireland (ankle), Petrov (knee), Vieira (knee) Injured Richards (knee, 24 Apr), Sylvinho (calf, 24 Apr), Lescott (hamstring, 5 May), M Johnson (knee, Aug) Suspended None Form guide WWWLWD Disciplinary record Y47 R2 Leading scorer Tevez 22 Manchester United Subs from Foster, Kuszczak, Giggs, Carrick, J Evans, Neville, Gibson, Fábio, Obertan, Diouf, O'Shea, Park, Hargreaves, Macheda, De Laet Doubtful Ferdinand (groin), Giggs (hamstring), Rooney (ankle) Injured Brown (foot, 24 Apr), Owen (hamstring, Aug), Welbeck (knee, Aug), Anderson (knee, Sep) Suspended None Form guide DLWWWW Disciplinary record Y46 R4 Leading scorer Rooney 26 Match pointers • If this match ends in a draw, it will be the 50th of all time between these sides from a total of 154 meetings in all competitions • City have kept one clean sheet in their last 12 home league encounters with United • This could be the first season for 20 years that United finish with more top-flight defeats than City • Shaun Wright-Phillips will be making his 205th Premier League appearance if selected • Ryan Giggs made his first league start for United against City in May 1991 and he has appeared in all 28 league Manchester derbies since