Tomorrow’s Manchester derby is set to be a fascinating contest between two managers under the spotlight. Manuel Pellegrini has seen his side’s form slump and United boss Louis van Gaal has problems of his own. Andy Gray and Richard Keys, who front beIN Sports’ EPL give their view.
Andy Gray: I don’t know what to make of City. Two defeats and one poor draw in their last three games is not the kind of form you want to take into a local derby. With David Silva injured, it’s a real blow for a game of this magnitude and I have to say that I was a bit surprised that Pellegrini didn’t take the opportunity to rest him in the League Cup against Newcastle in midweek.
With a game as big as this on the horizon you have to rest your very best players so to risk him was a bit odd. Pellegrini has made a few strange decisions lately with respect to formation and tactics. I call this game management and it hasn’t been as good as it should be for someone of his experience.
His ability to change a match midstream or select a side which is going to be a little different from the norm doesn’t appear to be as good as others.
Take the game against CSKA Moscow when they were two up. He should have shut up shop but he didn’t and they ended up drawing. Can you tell me why, when you are 2-0 up away from home in the Champions League, you keep two centre forwards on with Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero?
Jose Mourinho, Sir Alex Ferguson before he retired or Arsene Wenger would have taken Dzeko off and stuck a midfielder or defender on to protect that lead. Pellegrini doesn’t seem to be able to make these big decision.
Collectively, City have been poor recently. I think we are seeing a team that is trying to bed-in a new centre-back in Eliaquim Mangala and it’s not going well while Yaya Toure is a shadow of the player we saw last season. Samir Nasri has hardly figured, due to injury, and the only one who has been up there doing it on his own is Aguero.
Basically, the big players haven’t produced often enough so far this season.
United might consider draws at West Brom and against Chelsea when they snatched a fortunate late equaliser to be good results but despite all the talk about the quality of their strikeforce they haven’t blown anyone away, apart from QPR who are awful.
Wayne Rooney’s return is a bonus but it’s what Van Gaal decides to do with him back in the side which will be interesting. Will Rooney come in with Robin van Persie instead of Juan Mata or will RVP be dropped to make way for his skipper?
Personally, I would leave out Mata because he just isn’t doing it at United but don’t be surprised if he drops Van Persie because, despite his late goal against Chelsea, he has not been great. United might fancy they can get something out of this but I expect City’s big players to step up to the plate. 2-1.
Richard Keys: I have never had much faith in Pellegrini because I was a huge fan of Roberto Mancini and never really understood why they sacked him. I don’t necessarily think he has been found out but he is limited in his managerial decision making. He has one way of playing which when it works is great but when it doesn’t there doesn’t appear to be a plan B.
Yes, I know he won the title but he did it with Mancini’s team and now they appear to have hit the wall which doesn’t surprise me because I have spoken many times about this group of players.
There are a lot of difficult individuals in that dressing room, a collection of enormous egos who, when they want to play, can blow away the very best but they don’t want to do that often enough, particularly Toure who, so far, just hasn’t turned up.
I’m not having the argument that this is a hangover from the World Cup. How come he is the only one still struggling when every other player who was in that tournament seems to be back on form? No, there is something more to it than that. Having said all that I think tomorrow will be one of those days when the egos will be at it and they can beat an average United.
I’m not into this Louis van Genius nonsense. He brought a new belief and swept away the cobwebs at Old Trafford but their defensive frailties are there for all to see. There is still a lot of work to be done at Old Trafford. 3-1 to City.
Newcastle v Liverpool
AG: Two weeks ago I would have gone for a Liverpool away win but Newcastle have turned things around. In the last seven games they have only lost one and they are up against a Liverpool side which is nowhere near the team that impressed us last season. 1-1.
RK: I thought Alan Pardew was heading for the sack but he has proved me wrong and good luck to him because he took a bit of a kicking. Without Daniel Sturridge Liverpool look lost. 2-1 home win.
Arsenal v Burnley
AG: Home banker. I can’t give you any justifiable reason for Burnley to go to the Emirates and come away with a result. 3-0.
RK: 4-0 Arsenal. Are Burnley that bad? Yes.
Chelsea v QPR
AG: Chelsea have a 100 per cent record at home this season and it will be the shock of the weekend if that changes against QPR. 2-0.
RK: QPR ground out a win against Villa last week but it doesn’t change the way I feel about a team that is basically a shambles. Chelsea are in a different league. 2-0.
Everton v Swansea
AG: Wilfried Bony and Gylfi Sigurdsson look useful and they could cause Everton some problems. However, my old team has moved up a gear. 3-1.
RK: I was impressed with Swansea against Leicester last week but if Everton’s current form continues they can win this 2-1.
Hull v Southampton
AG: We keep waiting for Southampton to slip up but it hasn’t happened. Hull are tough to beat at home but I think the Saints can keep it going with a 2-1 victory.
RK: Southampton is one of the great Premier League stories when you consider they sold the best part of their team in the summer. Right now I can’t see them losing but Hull are a dogged side. 1-1.
Leicester v West Brom
AG: Nigel Pearson’s Leicester have slipped down the league after a terrific start to the season. West Brom are a decent side but away from home I’m not sure they are good enough. 1-0 home win.
RK: I am disappointed with Leicester who are now in a tricky position. They look like a Championship team and right now I wouldn’t be surprised if they slipped back down at the end of the season. 2-1 away win.
Aston Villa v Tottenham
AG: These Villa players have made history with the worst run this club has ever had; five defeats and no goals which is shocking. I hope they feel as embarrassed as I feel for them. Fortunately for them Spurs are also unpredictable. 2-2.
RK: Villa are awful and they are summed up by Gabriel Agbonlahor – can’t be bothered. Spurs weren’t much better against Newcastle last week but they will win this 2-0.
Crystal Palace v Sunderland
AG: Gus Poyet has to do something to lift his players because the mistakes they have made in their last two games have been ridiculous for professional footballers. Palace are tough to beat and with home advantage I think they will have enough to win this 1-0.
RK: I didn’t fancy Sunderland to beat Arsenal but I did expect them to put a bit more effort into the game. Defensively, they were a shambles. 2-0 Palace.
Stoke v West Ham
AG: West Ham have won three in a row and it’s always difficult to make it four in the Premier League which is why I’m going for a Stoke win. 1-0.
RK: The Hammers are flying but losing Diafra Sakho to injury is a blow. Stoke are a bit indifferent but they are at home so they can get a point. 1-1.
