Manchester City return to Premier League action this weekend after a disappointing week in Europe. They will hope to set aside their troubles as they meet Manchester United in a crucial Manchester derby.
The anticipated Manchester derby has arrived, and for both clubs, the timing of this contest turns up when neither side are in their best form.
Manchester City's struggles are far from unknown about with the Cityzens only achieving one victory in their last 10 matches (3-0 vs Nottingham Forest) whilst drawing two and losing seven.
The most recent result was a 2-0 defeat against Juventus in the UEFA Champions League matchday six. The outcome meant that City have gone winless in their last three European matchdays, leaving them with eight points on 22nd spot, just three places away from the danger zone and two matches remaining of the League phase.
In the Premier League, City are currently ranked fourth after multiple poor results; they are two points away from third-placed Arsenal and four behind second-placed Chelsea. There is an eight-point gap between the Sky Blues and leaders Liverpool, but it's to be remembered that the Reds have played a game less than City.
Rivals Manchester United aren't any better off this season; they are 13th in the league with six losses already accumulated.
The Red Devils are under new boss Ruben Amorim, who was head of Sporting CP during their 4-1 thrashing of City a few weeks back, but so far, while they have achieved some results, they are still far from the best, which was highlighted especially after their 3-2 loss to Nottingham last weekend.
In the Europa League, their form has improved as they now head into the top eight of the League phase with 12 points after six games.
Pep Guardiola ahead of last Manchester derby of 2024
"It's an important football game. It's important emotionally for our fans and it's special, but always in these types of games I would say that the less emotional you are will be better."
"It's already there (Ruben Amorim's effect on United), all the patterns they start to do it. He's doing a good job. I'm sure of that, he will do it."
"I think in our jobs always we want to do our best and when it doesn't happen you're more uncomfortable. Not just the managers, but especially the people under scrutiny for every step we do as a team."
"You think more about what can you do, I feel the past few weeks with the situation is with the results, I'm really pleased for the way we played and have certain authority in what I've done in my career so that I know when we play good or not."
"The rest of the games we were there. I know the reason why, that's why you move forward, keep working, this is what we have to do."
Man City Square prediction:
Manchester City 2-2 Manchester United