Titans clash in EPL title decider

Manchester United vs Manchester City:

Dilanka MANNAKKARA

Its going to be action on Super Monday when arch rival neighbours Manchester United and Manchester City clash with each other on the 30 April.

Possibly the biggest and the most intensified battle in the EPL,ManU will have to be at their rollicking best to defeat the high riding and in form City force at the city home grounds Ethihad.The clashing of the top two teams in the league makes it the ultimate title decider as to who would reign champs in the prestigious EPL 2012.

A real cliffhanger

Not so long ago, United held the bragging rights in Manchester as their neighbours City hardly posed a threat to them.

The status-quo started shifting in the recent past as City emerged as a vibrant force, thanks to their new found financial might. The two Manchester clubs have become equals in every aspect of the game and every clash between them is portrayed as the game of the season.

While such comments might have seemed exaggerated in the past, they are quite appropriate for this game. City trail United by three points with three games to go and host them on Monday evening in what could be the potential title-decider.

City ran riot in the reverse fixture, beating United 6-1 in a game that saw United centre-back Johnny Evans being sent off. However, Sir Alex's wards proved that the loss was only an aberration when they travelled to City and beat them 3-2 in the FA cup tie. Despite leading the table, United would be doubly nervous going into this game, well aware of the fact that City are back to their belligerent best having won their last three league games while United have managed to win only one. Regardless of their recent form, United are the team to beat and they would definitely pose a stiff challenge to Mancini's men.

Going by the recent clashes between the two, one can certainly expect a high-scoring encounter. A cracking contest is in the offing which is sure to be a delightful treat for football fans world over.

Manchester City - Tevez leads the Citizens!!!!

Manchester City have no fresh injury concerns after their game against Wolves at the Molineux last week. Besides, Italian striker Mario Balotelli returns to the squad after completing a three-match suspension. However, given his temperament and recent form, he is unlikely to feature in the playing XI. The Citizens are likely to stick with the same team that beat Wolves 2-0.

Carlos Tevez is expected to lead the attack with Nasri, Silva and Aguero playing behind him and providing ample ammunition. Gareth Barry and Yaya Toure are crucial for the Citizens and they would be expected to dominate the mid-field against the Red Devils. City's central defence, manned by Lescott and Kompany, looks quite settled having conceded only 2 goals in their last four games. Clichy and Zabaleta should to fill their usual wide positions in the defence.

City's probable lineup (4-2-3-1): Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Toure, Barry, Silva, Nasri, Aguero, Tevez Manchester United - Red Devils struck by injuries!!!

Unlike their opponents, United have a couple of injury concerns. Vidic, Anderson, Fletcher and Pogba are ruled out of the season while Michael Owen, who has returned to full training, is not yet match-fit. United's key man is Wayne Rooney, who has been in scintillating form recently.

The England striker has scored four goals in his last two games and the Red Devils would desperately want him to reproduce that performance against City. Danny Welbeck, who is finding the net quite often these days, will partner Rooney up-front.

Scholes and Carrick are likely to don the central midfield roles, although they might struggle to match City's pace.

However, United have two of the league's best and quickest wingers in Valencia and Nani. United's defence, comprising Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand and Evra, leaked four goals in the previous game against Everton and they would be hoping to put up a better show.

United's probable lineup (4-4-1-1): De Gea, Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Scholes, Carrick, Nani,Rooney, Welbeck