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Manchester Derby Game Thread: City v United

Alex Livesey

Team sheets are in, and getting warmed up!

City XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy, Yaya, Fernandinho, Nasri, Silva, Navas, Dzeko

Subs: Pantilimon, Kolarov, Lescott, Milner, Garcia, Negredo, Jovetic

Reaction: About what most expected, with Demichelis instead of Lescott. I'm a little disappointed to see Navas instead of Milner, since I think Milner is better defensively, and Navas hasn't been playing great away from home. He did own Evra last time through.

United XI: De Gea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Jones, Evra, Carrick, Cleverley, Fellaini, Mata, Welbeck, Rooney

Subs: Lindegarrd, Buttner, Fletcher, Kagawa, Young, Valencia, Hernandez

Reaction: Nothing too crazy there, although they're clearly looking to pack the midfield with Carrick, Cleverly, Fellaini, and Mata. Not to be too big of a hater, but it looks like an attempt to overwhelm Yaya and David Silva, trying to keep them from being on the ball too much. Looks like the pick of Navas could pay dividends, with no one fast enough to help out Evra on the left. Could be a long day down that side.

Updated prediction: With the packed midfield, I think it'll be tougher to break down United, and think they could get something out of Rooney/Welbeck. I still think City will win, but it'll be closer, like 3-2.