For Man City fans, the home Manchester derby is traditionally the biggest game in the club’s fixture schedule.
That’s no surprise, given the long history between City and Man United, and the fixture took on an extra competitive edge after Sheikh Mansour’s takeover catapulted the Sky Blues to the upper echelons of the Premier League, meaning they were in direct competition for trophies with Sir Alex Ferguson’s Old Trafford side.
Yet, with United slipping out of the title reckoning over the last five years, has the game lost its ‘winner-takes-all’ lustre?
Whilst City fans would no doubt be delighted to gain the local bragging rights when the two teams meet on Sunday, is there an argument that their game against Liverpool next month is now the bigger fixture?
United currently sit 19 points off Pep Guardiola’s side, meaning a victory for Ralf Rangnick’s side on Sunday would go no further than strengthening their top-four bid and giving them a win over a fierce rival.
For City, three points on Saturday would arguably be just as important as the bragging rights, with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side six points behind with a game in hand, which will have been played by the time City and United meet on Sunday.
With the title race looking set to go down to the wire, some fans have already claimed first place could be won or lost when City host Liverpool on April 10 in what will be a huge game.
So, which is the bigger match?
You can have your say in the survey above ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby and debate your answer in the comments below.
