In South Africa we relish our derbies. The rivalries between the Stormers, Sharks, Cheetahs, Bulls and Lions are always feisty affairs, wars of attrition where the side that gets it right on the day walks away with the bragging rights.

However, tonight a very different derby takes place. It’s a derby that draws a distinct line through a city in the North West of England. Blue vs. Red. Manchester City vs. Manchester United.

Whether it’s the North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham, the Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle and Sunderland or the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton derby-days in England are simply intoxicating. To many in the UK, football is religion and the derbies are the ultimate skirmishes.

This Manchester derby is even more significant this year, because both clubs are neck-and-neck on the table. City is flush with Dubai-based billions and filled with the marquee signings that only their great rivals once flaunted. There’s a famous banner at Old Trafford, which shows a 33 becoming a 34, signifying the number of years since City last won silverware.  I wonder how long that banner will be on show for, as it can only a matter of time before Manchester City get their hands on a trophy.

To the fixture itself and it looks set to be as tight as ever. I expect the midfield to be congested with tackle-hungry individuals in Yaya Toure, Gareth Barry and Nigel de thug Jong for City, Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick for United. One thing is certain and that is that the midfield will be ever so difficult to control and I’m not sure Mancini’s combined use of the above is so effective. Each of those players is a grafter, none of them outstanding distributors. However, if they nullify Paul Scholes aka Sat Nav, then they’ll have a great chance of overpowering the United midfield. However, they do lack the finesse that United acquire and the Reds will be looking for the pass that unpicks the City defence and the pace of Javier Hernandez may expose Vincent Company and Kilo Toure. Dimitar Berbatov is also due a goal, having not bulged the onion bag since his hatrick against Liverpool.

With Carlos Tevez up top City have an adept marksman who will be hell-bent on haunting his former employers. He has the energy of Tasmanian devil on speed and if he can link up with the in form David “bumfluff” Silva, they can pose the United defence some problems, particularly from wide areas where the Reds have been found out on more than one occasion. Wannabe Galactico-badboy Mario Balotelli is suspended for this one, which means that James Milner will probably deputise.

The United squad has been blighted by a virus throughout the past week, but I expect they’ll field a typically cohesive side. The Red Devils are still unbeaten in all competitions. They fought to the death to pick up a late win against Wolves, while Chelsea and Arsenal both dropped points so United will be galvanized for this one (as if they needed any more incentive).

“It’s a different type of derby from the Liverpool game,” said Sir Alex Ferguson, whose club are level with Liverool on 18 league titles apiece.

“The Liverpool game is one of honour in terms of trophies won whereas now the derby game between ourselves and City is one of great intensity, built up by a media explosion over what City are doing and trying to achieve in their own way and the fact we are both in the same city.

“There is an incredible intensity in this derby game now which was not there shall we say 10-15 years ago.”

It’s sure to be a vociferous fixture at Wastelands Eastlands. City are due a win over their rivals after United did a dramatic double in the league and knocked them out of the Carling Cup. The late losses during Fergie injury time left a bitter taste for the Blue half and they’ll love nothing more than flicking the two fingers at the away supporters.

Click through to see the views of former Liverpool and Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp at Skysports.

Image via mancity.offside.com

[Reuters]