Man City vs Man Utd: Barclays Premier League preview

Pablo Zabaleta (thigh) and Gelson Fernandes (hamstring) will also come into contention after injury, as will Elano after dealing with a domestic matter.

Javier Garrido, however, is doubtful after picking up a knock in Germany. He was replaced in the second half by Michael Ball.

Provisional squad : Hart, Zabaleta, Richards, Dunne, Garrido, Ball, Wright-Phillips, Elano, Ireland, Kompany, Robinho, Vassell, Hamann, Benjani Mwaruwari, Sturridge, Fernandes, Ben Haim, Schmeichel, Onuoha, Evans.

Man Utd team news

Record signing Dimitar Berbatov is hopeful of being fit for United in their Manchester derby duel. The £30.75million Bulgarian has missed the Red Devils' last two games with a hamstring injury picked up on international duty but has returned to training this week. Paul Scholes (knee) is still out but Gary Neville (groin) could be available after missing the last fortnight.

Provisional squad : Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, Neville, Rafael, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Nani, Carrick, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Park, Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov.

The New Football Pools Pundits' Predictions:
John Barnes: Away win
Tony Cascarino: Away win
Graham Poll: Away win

Opta Match Facts

City won both Premier League meetings with United last season.
Ronaldo has scored in two of his last three outings against City.
Sir Alex Ferguson has only lost five out of 52 Premier League games against former players who served under him and then coached an opponent.
Mark Hughes has the best record against his mentor winning two and losing three of his seven meetings with Sir Alex Ferguson as boss of Blackburn Rovers.
Only one of the 11 Premier League meetings at City has ended as a draw - City have won four and United six.
15 of the 16 goals scored between Robinho and Cristiano Ronaldo this season have come in home games.
United have conceded an average of only 3.5 corners per game this season, fewer than any other team.
Only Tottenham and Wigan can match City's total of three red cards this season.
United have won only three of their last 11 Premier League away games.
City have let 13 points slip from winning positions, more than any other team.

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