Normally, form has little to no effect in football derby matches, but if you’re a Manchester City fan, City’s recent demoralising loss to Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League should call for concern.
This was not just any defeat for the English Premier League champions-elect. It was their most demoralising this season and has all but marred what would have possibly been a deserved treble-winning campaign.
Liverpool’s 3-0 triumph has all but bounced Pep Guardiola’s side out of the Champions League and will certainly taint their league celebrations.
The mental blow in the blue side of Manchester City that suffered a defeat in the Champions League is what bitter rivals Manchester United will be looking to take advantage of.
Not to mention that United are undefeated in their last two visits at City’s home, the Etihad Stadium.
The two sides clash at 6.30pm today (Saturday, April 7).
City was well on their way to a historic quadruple as recent as early February but a shocking loss to League One side Wigan Athletic put an abrupt end to that dream. They’ve been so dominant this season that they came in the first leg tie at Anfield, Liverpool’s own backyard, as favourites.
But even at least the treble now seems a bridge too far as they have to score three goals without response – it’s very hard to see a quality side like Liverpool failing to pinch a goal at the Etihad. That would require City to score five to rekindle their treble hopes.
United’s unconvincing form does not help their matters either but they do come in at the back of a win, albeit against a Swansea City side which was there for the taking at Old Trafford.
With City 16 points ahead of United with seven games remaining, they have one hand and another four fingers on the league title and if this was a month ago, they would be right on the money for the overwhelming favourites tag.
But if their most recent performance and their big dent to their aspirations is anything to go by, a longer wait before their celebrations looks more likely. – @SabeloBoksburg
