Game Week 4 Predictions: Maresca to edge 199th Manchester derby?

Manchester derby preview: United host 100% City at Old Trafford as both sides chase momentum in the 199th meeting.

The latest Manchester derby is Enzo Maresca's first as the manager of Manchester City. How will the Italian fare on the job? (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

 Manchester United vs Manchester City

Old Trafford Stadium

4:30pm

It's the 199th installment of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford. This match is the sort of game where form and pedigree fly out the window before kickoff. The match is a different ball game.

Manchester United starts this game in 13th position, with only four points on the board and eight points off the top of the log. It's too early to talk about the title, but if you want to be in the mix at the end of May, you must be winning games like this one against your rivals.

You can say the same for Manchester City too. The Cityzens start this one in second place after Arsenal's gritty win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. The 2-0 win took Arsenal above City on the log, and only a similar win will restore Enzo Maresca's side to the summit.

Manchester United go into this game on the back of a scintillating win against Sabah FC in Europe on Thursday. You can argue that the opposition wasn't elite, but the momentum can help Michael Carrick's side to a good result against their bitter city rivals.

You can say the same about the visitors. The Cityzens have won all their games this season, including their midweek Champions League away win at Porto. It will be a game of two teams on winning form on Sunday.

Domestically, last weekend didn't bring much joy to the Red Devils. They were seconds away from beating Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium before former Arsenal utility player Ainsley Maitland-Niles fired in a scorcher at the death.

Manchester City labored to a 1-0 win over newly promoted Coventry City at the Etihad with Erling Haaland heading home what proved to be the winner. The Cityzens are still a work in progress; this is the kind of game that will test how far they have come.

How will they line up on Sunday? Carrick is poised to stick to the same formula that delivered results in midweek. What is left to be seen is if Luke Shaw returns in defense or Patrick Dorgu continues. The midfield of Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans looks anointed, and Andrey Santos must bid his time with patience.

Marcus Rashford has scored memorable goals against Manchester City in the past. The former Barcelona forward will hope to have a fulfilled day in the sunshine at home, while everything is still expected to go through Bruno Fernandes for the hosts.

Haaland and Phil Foden will love to roll back the years. The big Norwegian scored home and away last season against the Red Devils, and you won't put it past him to do the same again on Sunday. Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo are the other players to watch out for. This should be fun to watch.

Verdict: Both teams to score.