BETFINAL’S LOOK AT THE WEEKEND – 

It’s nearly time for the weekend again and we all know what that means! It’s another action–packed Saturday in the sporting calendar. There’s one match everybody is talking about as the Premier League title can be clinched this weekend. We’re off to the city of Manchester for a derby that will go down in history. 

 

Manchester City Vs Manchester United. Saturday 7th April, Etihad Stadium, Manchester. 

 ”You’ll never see anything quite like this” – The famous words of Martin Tyler on the final day of the 2011/12 season as Manchester City clinched their first title in 44 years. 

‘Agueeeeeeeeero’s’ 94th minute winner saw them snatch the title in the most dramatic fashion from the hands of their fiercest neighbours, Manchester United. A moment neither club will forget; a season that will go down in Premier League history; and surely no greater way to win the title!

Or so we thought… 6 games before the end of the season, in quite remarkable fashion, the two clubs find themselves in another breathtaking end to a Premier League season. For any football fan, a scenario to good to be true! 

In record–breaking fashion, the Citizens have a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to be crowned Premier League Champions in front of their own fans if they beat their fierce rivals during the Manchester derby on Saturday. City have been breaking records left, right and centre all season long but they aren’t stopping there! Despite all the records they’ve set this year, no record broken can come close to the opportunity City have been presented with this Saturday against their arch-rivals, Manchester United. 

Not only do City have the dream scenario of clinching the third title in six years, but they would also be snatching another record from their neighbours. Theatre of Dreams ring a bell?

Under the distant glory days of Sir Alex Fergusons leadership, United set the earliest date for winning the title in the Premier League era. In 2001, the Reds clinched the title with an impressive five games to spare. If City can do the double against Mourinho’s men this Saturday, they will become the earliest Premier League Champions ever– with six games to spare. The perfect tribute to a record–breaking season. 

‘Not in my lifetime’ were the words of Ferguson back in 2009 when asked if United would ever go into a Manchester Derby as underdogs. City spent the majority of three decades watching United dominate English football. 9 years on and it’s their ‘noisy neighbours’ who will end this season as top dogs. 

It’s not just the Manchester rivalry that makes this fixture so special, it’s the managerial duel of Guardiola vs Mourinho too. After years battling it out in Spain for numerous league trophy, Pep is one game away from his first league English title with City. Mourinho has yet to beat Guardiola in a league fixture since the pair rocked up in Manchester. The truth is, he may never get a better opportunity.