League Cup Preview: Manchester City – Manchester United TEAM NEWS Manchester City Roberto Mancini is likely to be without eight first-team players for Tuesday League Cup match against United. Having limped off during the 2-0 defeat to Everton, striker Roque Santa Cruz will be out of action for a month after picking up a calf injury, whilst new signing Patrick Vieria will also miss out [calf]. Defenders Wayne Bridge [knee ligament], Joleon Lescott [knee], Nedum Onuoha [calf] will also be sidelined for the contest, along with midfielder Michael Johnson [knee], although Stephen Ireland [hamstring] is likely to feature on the City bench. Meanwhile, striker Emmanuel Adebayor remains unavailable for selection following the gun attack on the Togo national team bus, and is away on compassionate leave. Starting XI [vs Everton]:Given, Richards, Zabaleta, Garrido, Kompany, Petrov, Barry, De Jong, Santa Cruz, Tevez, Bellamy. Manchester United Sir Alex Ferguson could be without seven players for Tuesday match against, with striker Dimitar Berbatov his latest injury concern. The striker picked up a knee injury during Saturday’s victory over Burnley, and the Bulgarian is doubtful for Tuesdays match. United are also set to be without Ben Foster [back], Owen Hargreaves [knee], Federico Macheda [hamstring], John O’Shea [thigh]. First choice centre backs Nemanja Vidic [calf] and Rio Ferdinand [calf] could return for United, although the match is likely to have come too soon for the England defender, and a weekend return could be more feasible. Starting XI [vs Burnley]: Van der Sar, Neville, Evra, Brown, Evans, Carrick, Nani, Scholes, Valencia, Berbatov, Rooney. PLAYERS TO WATCH Manchester City – Carlos Tevez Not only will Tevez be lining up against his former teammates on Tuesday, but the Argentine is in the kind of form which attracted Sir Alex Ferguson to sign him for United in the first place. Tevez has netted 12 goals in 20 Premier League matches so far this season, and three strikes in four appearances in the League Cup, and having bagged a hat-trick last time out at the Eastlands, the strikers home form will be something the victors will have to address. The former United striker was quoted as saying that his teammates will be out for “revenge” against the Red Devils, after suffering the dramatic 4-3 defeat at Old Trafford earlier in the season, and having also aided his side with five assists, City’s No.32 could have a huge impact on this match. Manchester United – Wayne Rooney During the big matches, the heated contests, the must win matches, Wayne Rooney is more often than not on the top of his game. In a season where the Champions have been underperforming, it has been the England striker who has strived to keep United in contention and should Ferguson select Rooney for this League Cup match he’ll be the driving force for the visitors. Rooney is yet to feature in a League Cup match so far this season, but due to the enormity of the fixture, I expect Sir Alex to give him the nod on Tuesday night, such is his passion for the club. The England striker has bagged 15 goals in 21 league appearances so far, including the opening goal in the 4-3 victory over City at Old Trafford. PREDICTION I have a feeling that City will edge this match, and I can see the home side claiming victory in the first leg. Mancini will select his strongest side available, and with home support against a United side likely to be constructed out of youth and experience, City could have too much for them. Nevertheless, the visitors are almost certain to grab a goal, making the second leg tie at Old Trafford all the more interesting. Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United --

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