Mind games, physical battles, tactical choices and concentration – the English Premier League title race between Manchester United and Manchester City has gone to the final two matches.
Monday’s Manchester derby did not decide the winner of the league. The outcome of the match put the Citizens and the Red Devils on equal terms ahead of the next 180 minutes of football.
The top two zone is tight; City and United both have 83 points. In terms of goal difference and head-to-head, the advantage is clearly Manchester City’s. However, those remarkable stats could come to nothing if Roberto Mancini loses control right at the end of the road.
“It's important we play a good game against Newcastle [on Sunday] because [Manchester United] play an easy game against Swansea. For now we are top of the league but United have a light advantage,” coach Mancini stated this week according to ESPN Soccernet.
It is vital for the Italian manager to have his players focused. Manchester derby goal hero Vincent Kompany is aware of what the team needs to clinch the English Premier League title.
“It's far from over and we know that,” Kompany told the press on Monday night. “But to give our fans two wins over United this season... we have to finish it off and we have to do it over the next two games.”
It is hard to see Manchester United dropping points at home to Swansea this Sunday. Chicharito’s lone goal at the Liberty Stadium gave the Red Devils three precious points in November last year. It was a tough match with the ball possession percentage equally shared between Swansea City and Manchester United.
However, Manchester United vs Swansea City will likely be a straightforward affair for the hosts. The Red Devils are hoping to bounce back from their destructive 4-4 draw against Everton at Old Trafford and the players will probably give everything to avoid Ferguson's hairdryer.
At the Sports Direct Arena, meanwhile, Manchester City could be pushed to the wall by the resilient Magpies. Newcastle United are determined to play Champions League football next season and they are surely on the right track. In midweek, they defeated a Chelsea team still buzzing from their historical triumph against Barcelona in Europe.
“Newcastle will be our hardest game - harder than United,” Roberto Mancini declared to reporters this week.
“It is strange but it is like this. They have had a fantastic season and are playing to get into the Champions League.
“Their manager is one of the best managers here and it will be a tough game. It is another Champions League final on Sunday.”
Manchester City have won each of their past 4 matches against Newcastle United in the English Premier League. Will there be an upset on Sunday?
Ex-Newcastle United player Keith Gillespie told Goal.com:
“There have been that many twists and turns in the season so far that no one would be surprised if there is another one this weekend and I can see them putting a spanner in the works for City.
“Newcastle would be one of the last teams that you would pick for an away game at this stage of the season so it wouldn’t be a surprise if things were back in [Manchester] United’s hands on Sunday evening.”
The top two zone is tight; City and United both have 83 points. In terms of goal difference and head-to-head, the advantage is clearly Manchester City’s. However, those remarkable stats could come to nothing if Roberto Mancini loses control right at the end of the road.
“It's important we play a good game against Newcastle [on Sunday] because [Manchester United] play an easy game against Swansea. For now we are top of the league but United have a light advantage,” coach Mancini stated this week according to ESPN Soccernet.
It is vital for the Italian manager to have his players focused. Manchester derby goal hero Vincent Kompany is aware of what the team needs to clinch the English Premier League title.
“It's far from over and we know that,” Kompany told the press on Monday night. “But to give our fans two wins over United this season... we have to finish it off and we have to do it over the next two games.”
It is hard to see Manchester United dropping points at home to Swansea this Sunday. Chicharito’s lone goal at the Liberty Stadium gave the Red Devils three precious points in November last year. It was a tough match with the ball possession percentage equally shared between Swansea City and Manchester United.
However, Manchester United vs Swansea City will likely be a straightforward affair for the hosts. The Red Devils are hoping to bounce back from their destructive 4-4 draw against Everton at Old Trafford and the players will probably give everything to avoid Ferguson's hairdryer.
At the Sports Direct Arena, meanwhile, Manchester City could be pushed to the wall by the resilient Magpies. Newcastle United are determined to play Champions League football next season and they are surely on the right track. In midweek, they defeated a Chelsea team still buzzing from their historical triumph against Barcelona in Europe.
“Newcastle will be our hardest game - harder than United,” Roberto Mancini declared to reporters this week.
“It is strange but it is like this. They have had a fantastic season and are playing to get into the Champions League.
“Their manager is one of the best managers here and it will be a tough game. It is another Champions League final on Sunday.”
Manchester City have won each of their past 4 matches against Newcastle United in the English Premier League. Will there be an upset on Sunday?
Ex-Newcastle United player Keith Gillespie told Goal.com:
“There have been that many twists and turns in the season so far that no one would be surprised if there is another one this weekend and I can see them putting a spanner in the works for City.
“Newcastle would be one of the last teams that you would pick for an away game at this stage of the season so it wouldn’t be a surprise if things were back in [Manchester] United’s hands on Sunday evening.”
