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Written by Adam Wareing from City Watch

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A prospective Premier League title-winning match has arrived for Manchester City and it’s fallen on an occasion so often steeped in blue disappointment – derby day.

Pep Guardiola may rest players with an eye on overcoming a 3-0 Champions League deficit on Tuesday, but City fans will be desperate to seal the league against their bitter rivals.

Anything but a City win would delay them from being crowned champions and Jose Mourinho, famed for his ability to avoid away defeat, will know losing isn’t an option.

Key battles

Sane v Valencia

Antonio Valencia will have to prove his defensive capabilities to hold back Leroy Sane.

The 22-year-old German was uncharacteristically tamed by Trent Alexander-Arnold in midweek, and he’ll want to break through United’s resilient defence to get back to his blistering form.

Valencia may be penned in by City’s possession and his manager’s reluctance to attack, so he could have a rough 90 minutes on his hands.

Kompany v Lukaku

Vincent Kompany is Mr Manchester City and he’ll relish the opportunity to win the title against United, so, if he plays, he’ll be ready to smother any attempt from Romelu Lukaku.

The United frontman has five goals and two assists in six games for the club, and his confidence of being able to get the better of his international teammate will be high as long as he has supporting wingers.

Isolation could be an issue for Lukaku if United’s wide men don’t get forward when they get the ball from the Blues inside their own half.

Who to pick

Kevin De Bruyne is the only outfield player in the league to have started every game this campaign, and despite Tuesday weighing heavily on Guardiola’s mind, he should start again.

After an under-par performance at Anfield, he will be desperate to pick crucial holes in United’s defence and free himself from the grasp of Nemanja Matic.

De Bruyne is a big-game player and this is the biggest of the Premier League season, so expect him to have the final say if City clinch the title on derby day.

Who to avoid

Kyle Walker has looked off the pace recently by giving the ball away far too frequently and simply not having that killer instinct inside the final third.

No City player should be out of tune on Saturday, particularly after the Liverpool defeat, but if a player was to have a poor game, Walker seems the most likely.

Whether Jose Mourinho starts with Alexis Sanchez or Manchester-born Marcus Rashford down their left flank, Walker’s pace will have to make up for his recently-lacking technical ability.

Who to watch

Winning the Premier League against United means Pep can rest players for the remaining games, but what’s the point if they’re out of the Champions League.

If City win the league and turn it around in the Champions League, expect the young guns linked Phil Foden and Brahim Diaz to rack up points playing the final few games.

But, if City fail to win at the weekend, expect full strength against Tottenham and Swansea, so watch the derby result before contemplating which City players to select as the season comes to an end.