Derby deflation for big-spending Manchester sides

WHEN Manchester’s Premier League big guns were spending lavishly in the close season, neither City nor United can have imagined that the final derby of the campaign would be little more than a contest in the battle for a Champions League spot.

With City, lying fourth, having slipped 12 points behind the leaders and United trying to climb up from sixth, Sunday’s match is hardly the pivotal title decider they both would have wanted.

United, often laboured and struggling to score goals all season, go into the game at the Etihad Stadium trailing their rivals by four points but perhaps sniffing blood.

City have capitulated in recent weeks and, with leaders Leicester playing Crystal Palace tomorrow, could find themselves 15 points off the top by kickoff.

Arsenal, 11 points off the top and visiting Everton tomorrow, are another side who have imploded at a crucial point in the season with manager Arsene Wenger’s position again coming under scrutiny.

The battle for the title seems to have come down to a two-horse race between Claudio Ranieri’s side and Tottenham Hotspur, who trail them by five points and host Bournemouth on Sunday.

Both sides should win, with Leicester, who boast the best away record in the top flight, visiting Palace who have taken just four points from the last 12 games.

In the relegation fight, Newcastle United host Sunderland in a northeast derby on Sunday.

Newcastle, second-bottom of the table, are one point behind their neighbours who are 17th in the 20-team standings. – Reuters