Some quotes from Paul Dickov, ahead of the game:
United’s physicality and height worries me, especially in set pieces
"City’s goals will come from all over. The one thing that worries me is United’s physicality and height. Where City have struggled at times this season is set pieces. Going back to the West Ham game at the weekend and the Southampton game mid-week with set pieces: the opposition set up in a way that they get all their big players in the six yard boys. For instance in the Southampton game last week, City had Gabriel Jesus picking up van Dyke. Southampton could have been two goals up mainly from set pieces. If you think Fellaini is probably going to play, they’ve got Lukaku, the centre halves - United are a big physical team. City have got the players who will find little pockets and that will play into their hands. Sane and Stirling are going to be massive, especially if United play three at the back.”
There’s less anxiety amongst the fans and the players at City
"Even speaking to the die-hard City fans who have been through hell over the last ten to fifteen years, there was a real belief in the stadium against West Ham. There wasn’t any anxiety thats been at the Etihad the last couple of the years, there was a real belief amongst that fans that they were going to do it. That’s a side that they’ve added to their games this season."
City have got great options on the bench when looking to change a game
"Last season you could see Pep turning round and looking at his bench with 25 minutes to go and it’s no disrespect to these players but there was Zabaleta on the bench, Cliche, Kolarov, Sagna - there’s four full backs on the bench when you’re looking to change the game. Now, you’ve got Yaya Toure, Gabriel Jesus coming on to change the game, Bernardo Silva and David Silva was on the bench, Aguero was too - so when City are struggling, they’ve got that talent in the team and it gives them much more belief that you can get something out the game."
Deep down City will be delighted Pogba isn’t playing this weekend
"Pep and a few of the City players have come out and said they would much rather play against the best players. But deep down City will be delighted that Pogba isn’t playing because he’s the one that makes them tick, he’s their best player, in everything they do attacking wise. He gives them a lift."
Hearing Kompany say that this week is different to a normal week was refreshing
"Managers play it down and say ‘it’s just another game,’ players say ‘it’s a normal week leading up to it.’ But Kompany said yesterday that this week is not the same as a normal week, it’s completely different. It was quite refreshing to hear, it’s completely different, derby week, and leading up to it. Vincent said it was the only game to him that is important, not because it’s the next one but because it’s the Manchester derby. Whether Vincent is playing the game or not, that’s what the fans want to hear: the players saying it is different, it is the derby."
You can’t see City losing four games this season
"I think there’s a huge amount of pressure on United, to go into the Christmas period possibly eleven points behind or even eight points behind, is a huge amount at that time. It’s how many games do you see City losing after Christmas as well. Can you see City losing another four games the way they’re playing at the minute? I know things can change but I think United have to come after them."
Raheem Sterling has new found confidence
"Sterling is playing really well at the moment. People are giving Pep credit for it for giving him the confidence, but you’ve got to give Raheem credit as well. I noticed a big difference in him last season or when Pellegrini was manager, his first touch was always backwards. Now, since Pep came in, every time he gets the ball he’s either looking to get a shot off, take his player on, get a cross in and it’s just the confidence he’s got. He’s a top goalscorer at the minute, it speaks volumes."
Watch the betsafe.com interview with Paul Dickov
