City ambitions give Manchester derby unusual edge

Manchester: It is not often that an end-of-season Manchester derby is more important to City than United but Saturday`s clash could go a long way to deciding whether the home side can break up England`s big four.

United, of course, are not out of the Premier League title running but even victory at Eastlands would still leave Chelsea strong favourites for the silverware. City desperately need the points to tighten their grip on the fourth place that secures a foothold on the Champions League. United were in pole position three weeks ago but home defeat by Chelsea followed by a 0-0 draw at Blackburn Rovers has left them four points behind the Londoners with four games remaining. It is not an insurmountable gap, even with Chelsea`s recent big wins giving them a five-superior goal difference, but the bigger issue for United could now be holding off Arsenal for second place. Arsene Wenger`s side are third, two points behind, after their 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.City are fourth on 62 points, one ahead of Spurs, who next face Chelsea and Manchester United. Liverpool, on 56 and Aston Villa, on 55 after their 2-2 draw with Everton on Wednesday, are also still in the hunt for fourth but it is very much City`s to lose. Saturday`s game (11.45 GMT) is the fourth Manchester derby of the season and will have to go some to live up to the previous three. United won the Old Trafford league clash 4-3 in September as Craig Bellamy`s brilliant last-minute equaliser was trumped by Michael Owen`s stoppage-time winner.City won the first leg of their League Cup semi-final 2-1 with a double from former United forward Carlos Tevez, only for United to snatch a place in the final with Wayne Rooney`s last-gasp goal for a 3-1 Old Trafford success in the second leg. Bureau Report