Manchester City entertain fierce rivals Manchester United as the league’s top-two face-off at the Etihad Stadium today.

United head into the game holding a three point lead over City after Roberto Mancini’s men were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Everton last weekend, and the result of today’s encounter could go a long way in deciding where the title ends up in May.

Mancini has elected to start Mario Balotelli ahead of Carlos Tevez for the game today while David Silva is passed fit to play. United are able to call upon Tom Cleverley and Antonio Valencia despite Sir Alex claiming they were both ruled out.

Here are the confirmed line-ups

Man City Team

Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy, Yaya Toure, Barry, Nasri, Silva, Aguero, Balotelli

Subs: Pantilimon, Maicon, Kolo Toure, Garcia, Tevez, Dzeko, Lescott

Man Utd Team

De Gea, Rafael, Evra, Ferdinand, Evans, Valencia, Cleverley, Rooney, Carrick, Young, RVP.

Subs: Johnstone, Jones, Giggs, Smalling, Hernandez, Welbeck, Scholes.

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