Premier League: Manchester City v Manchester United match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at the Etihad Stadium

Manuel Pellegrini awaits his first Manchester derby against fellow recently appointed manager David Moyes (GETTY IMAGES)

From Denis Law's infamous backheel to the “noisy neighbours” winning 6-1 at Old Trafford, the Manchester derby always proves to be lively. This time around, the focus may be on Manuel Pellegrini and David Moyes rather than any player; both clubs have new managers for the first time since 1986.

City captain Vincent Kompany made his return from injury in midweek, but Gael Clichy could miss out, alongside long-term absentee Martin Demichelis, signed from Atletico Madrid at the start of the month. David Silva is set for a comeback after missing the club's last two matches. Aleksandar Kolarov, Matija Nastasic and Samir Nasri are likely to retain their places in Pellegrini's starting line-up.

United have no such concerns. Nani, Rafael and Shinji Kagawa recovered in time for the Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen, and Scotland captain Darren Fletcher has been training following surgery to treat ulcerative colitis. "Darren is a long way away from being ready and we'll use the doctors' and physios' advice," said Moyes on Tuesday. "But the big thing is he's back in and it's great to have him around. It looks as if he's on the road to recovery."

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 4pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Manchester United 1 (Kompany OG) Manchester City 2 (Milner, Aguero), Premier League, April 2013

Manchester City 2 (Y Toure, Zabaleta) Manchester United 3 (Rooney 2, Van Persie), Premier League, December 2012

Manchester City 1 (Kompany) Manchester United 0, Premier League, April 2012

STATS…

Manchester City have kept six clean sheets in their past eight Premier League games.

Since a drab 0-0 in November 2010, the past eight meetings between these teams have produced 30 goals – an average of 4.3 per game.

No Premier League player has completed more passes than Yaya Toure in 2013-14 (347).

ODDS…

Manchester City to win: 2.28

Manchester United to win: 3.65

Draw: 3.45

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 4pm, highlights on BBC1 at 10:25pm