Manchester City will play host to Manchester United tomorrow afternoon in a match that has more at stake than simply local pride.
The sides, who harbour Premier League title ambitions, go into the clash level on seven points from their first four games of the new season.
With so much riding on the outcome, Sports Mole has picked out five battles that could help determine which side will be celebrating come the final whistle.
Sergio Aguero vs. Man United centre-backs
They may be international strikers, but Nemanja Vidic will fancy his chances against Edin Dzeko and Alvaro Negredo. Their quality cannot be doubted, but their reliance on power and physique plays right into the hands of the United skipper. The chink in the Serbian's armor centres around pace and trickery as his past battles with Fernando Torres at Liverpool highlight.
In contrast to his partner, Rio Ferdinand has always relied on his reading of the game and speed across the ground. A combination of back and hamstring injuries have taken a toll on the veteran defender, though, and he is often found wanting against a quick opponent. Just last weekend, Crystal Palace's Dwight Gayle burst beyond him, only to spurn his opportunity.
On his day, Aguero possesses the attributes to give the United defenders a difficult afternoon.
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Yaya Toure vs. Marouane Fellaini
Since Owen Hargreaves and before him Roy Keane, the accusation often aimed at United is that their midfield was lacking some bite. For all their passing ability, there wasn't a player within the engine room who was capable of breaking up play efficiently.
Manager David Moyes moved to fill that void on transfer deadline day by signing Fellaini from Everton and during his first two outings in a red shirt, his physical presence has been lauded. The Belgian's aerial ability has also proved to be an asset.
Since capturing Toure from Barcelona in 2010, City have had that type of player. Although he can operate further forward, he is likely to be instructed to protect his back four whenever possible on Sunday.
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Man City defence/midfield vs. Wayne Rooney
He may not have been able to confirm his happiness at Old Trafford, but Rooney has shown in recent weeks that he is prepared to get his head down and produce the goods.
The England international looks lean, which is not something that can always been said of his physique in recent years. What's more, he is starting to turn out the sort of performances that he is renowned for.
Many believe that it is down to the fact that he has been afforded a free role by Moyes. Towards the end of the Sir Alex Ferguson era, Rooney was played on the left, right and finally the bench!
Against Palace and Bayer Leverkusen in recent days, he has exploited the little pockets of space between the defence and midfield. Taking that into consideration, it will be important for City to decide whether it is a job for the defenders or either Toure/Fernandinho/Javi Garcia to pick up United's 200-goal man.
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Vincent Kompany vs. Robin van Persie
Matija Nastasic has the potential to be one of Europe's finest centre-backs - there will be little argument to that statement. The young Serbian, though, is by no means a leader just yet.
So, when City are without captain Kompany, as they have been in recent weeks, it shows. The 2012 Premier League champions seem to lose a worrying amount of defensive assurance, which at the top level is more often than not punished.
Kompany returned for Champions League duty during the week and is now fit for Sunday's clash. He is likely to be charged with the task of stopping Robin van Persie, who scored the winner in this fixture last season.
The Dutch international already has four club goals to his name in all competitions this term.
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Manuel Pellegrini vs. David Moyes
The campaign may only be four matches old, but this is a huge encounter for both of the new managers.
The winning side will have amassed 10 points from a possible 15, meaning that the losing outfit will have dropped eight points from their first five fixtures.
Derby matches can often be cagey, tactical affairs, with neither boss willing to surrender the advantage to their opponents. Having said that, fortune can favour the brave, as United showed last season when their positive approach was rewarded with a dramatic late win.
During the season before, they adopted a negative approach, failed to register a shot on target and lost the match. Two games later, they also surrendered the title.
Whichever team show the greater intent could well come out on top.
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Liam Apicella
