Arguably the most entertaining derby in all the land, the battle between blue and red in the city of Manchester returns to audiences this Sunday (11:00 am ET on NBCSN, watch live via NBC Sports Live Extra). Both sides enter the match with new managers at the helm in Manuel Pellegrini and David Moyes, and even on record at 2-1-1 means a loss for either club could result in them slipping out of the Top 5.

For City, they enter the match not only looking to take points from their rival but also to set right an inconsistent start to the season. After a dominant 4-0 victory over Newcastle to start the season, City lost 3-2 to Cardiff before skipping past Hull City 2-0 in a hard fought match and drawing 0-0 with Stoke City.

Aside from last weekend’s lifeless offensive performance at the Britannia, City’s main problem has been in defense. With Vincent Kompany injured for the first four Premier League matches of the season, Pellegrini was forced to deploy center-back combinations of Joleon Lescott, Javi Garcia and Matija Natasic. The inconsistent performances and lack of leadership had supporters worried but with Kompany’s emphatic return in Tuesday’s 3-0 Champions League victory Victoria Plzen, stability appears to have returned to the Etihad.

For United, Sunday’s match represents another chance for their new-look offense to gel. Last weekend saw Wayne Rooney recover from a head gash to go 90 minutes strong in the supporting striker role behind Robin van Persie. The Englishman scored a fantastic free-kick and his overall performance received rave reviews, prompting manager David Moyes to confirm that unlike last season, Rooney would not be used in the midfield.

The Scot’s stroke of confidence in his temperamental striker appears to have paid off as Rooney joined United’s prestigious 200 goal club on Tuesday night after scoring twice in the 4-2 Champions League victory over Bayer Leverkusen. The victory also saw the full debut of Marouane Fellaini, whose harrowing presence and crunching tackles released pressure on Michael Carrick and provided Rooney with additional space in which to operate.

A head-to-head look at each club’s form and the history of the derby shows that Sunday’s match should be a hotly contested affair. City have won seven and lost one of their last eight home games in the Premier League while defeat to Liverpool in their last away game ended a run of 13 matches unbeaten for United. Of the last five Premier League derbies contested at the Etihad, City have only one a single match. But from the last four Premier League derbies overall, the Citizens have won three of those contests.

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Rooting for Man city to win this one

Manchester City have scored four of the 14 Premier League goals from outside the penalty area this season; more than any other side.
Since his Premier League debut in August 2006, Ashley Young has won a joint-league-high 12 penalties (level with former teammate Gabriel Agbonlahor).
Manchester City have scored in each of their last 52 Barclays Premier League home games. The all-time record for the competition is 66 set by Man Utd last season.

Roo 4

Six of the last seven meetings between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium have seen fewer than two goals scored.
Wayne Rooney has now either scored or assisted 40 goals in his last 44 Premier League games.
Marouane Fellaini has won five times against Man City in the Premier League (only against Sunderland – six wins - has he won more often).
Since the start of 2012-13, no side has kept more clean sheets in the Barclays Premier League than Manchester City (21).
Six of these clean sheets have come in Manchester City’s last eight Premier League games.
Robin van Persie has hit more shots off target than any other Premier League player this season (10).
Yaya Toure has made 347 passes this season, 30 more than any other player in the division and 65 more than Utd’s leading passer Michael Carrick (282).

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