FA Cup / Feizal Rahman / 07 January 2012 /

The twin giants of Manchester - City and United - go to war on the Etihad pitch on Sunday afternoon and after the Red Devils' embarrassing defeat in midweek the pressure is on, Feizal Rahman expects them to respond

Manchester City v Manchester United, KO: Sunday 13:00, ITV1, Match Odds: Man City [2.2], Man Utd [3.8], The Draw [3.5]

While the FA Cup third round is universally cherished for its David and Goliath battles, invariably the draw also throws up a clash of the titans. The Premier League's top two teams, Manchester's City and United, go head-to-head - with a considerable dose of local rivalry thrown into the ring.

City will miss Yaya Toure, who departs for African Cup of Nations duty with brother Kolo, while Mario Balotelli is injured and Gareth Barry suspended. United remain without Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans in defence, with a decision to be made over which goalkeeper starts.

Match Odds
Manchester United seldom lose two consecutive games and the last time they were beaten three in a row was back in May 2001. Yet, now in his 71st year, manager Sir Alex Ferguson has steered his club through every type of crisis and he will not allow this current side to panic.

In their last six in the league, United have won four and lost twice - scoring a total of 18 and keeping three clean sheets. The Red Devils' defence has leaked six goals in the last two, though it has performed better away from home this term with the same number conceded in 10 league trips.

City themselves were unsettled over the Christmas and New Year period, winning only one of their last three league games played. Regardless, Roberto Mancini's team are unbeaten in 32 matches in all competitions at the Etihad, victorious in all but two of those contests.

In the FA Cup, holders City have won their last five in a row and kept a clean sheet in each of those. However, only once have United failed to progress beyond the third round under Sir Alex Ferguson - that indignity coming two seasons ago at the hands of Leeds United.

According to Opta, the two Manchester sides have met in the FA Cup eight times - the Reds winning four and the Blues three, including last season's semi-final. In the last six league encounters at Eastlands, United have taken the spoils three times, with City triumphant just twice.

While the power may be shifting, United are no more dangerous than with their backs to the wall. In the absence of the influential Yaya Toure,a lay of City at [2.2] appeals and although there has been just one stalemate in the last 16 encounters between the two, The Draw could tempt at [3.5].

Over/Under 2.5 Goals
Opta point out that four of United's last six visits to City have finished in a 1-0 scoreline to either side - as well as the Wembley semi-final back in May. Only three of the previous 10 matches at Eastlands have produced three goals or more - in contrast to seven of the last 10 at Old Trafford.

City have not conceded in the last four home games (and have done in only four all season) and averaged exactly three goals scored per domestic fixture at the Etihad this term. United's 3-0 loss at Newcastle in midweek has been the only away game in which they have failed to find the net.

Under 2.5 Goals should appeal at [2.04] with Under 1.5 Goals on offer at [4.0]. A 1-0 Correct Score trades at [10.0] for City and [15.0] United, though a 1-1 result is the market favourite at [8.0].

Other Markets
City's Edin Dzeko - [8.0] to be First Goalscorer - will be looking to notch his first goal in nine games, having already put three past the Red Devils this season. However, United's Nani has scored three in his last four appearances against the Citizens and is [5.0] To Score at any time.

City have led at the break in five of their last six home games at the Etihad and have done so without conceding. The home side are [2.9] to be leading at Half Time, with a 1-0 Half Time Score at [4.8]. Finally, a Sending Off - which has occurred twice in the previous three meetings - is on offer at [3.7].

Recommended Bets
Best Bet: Under 2.5 Goals @ [2.04]
Other Bet: Lay Manchester City @ [2.2]

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