Today, Manchester United meet Manchester City for the second Manchester derby of the season. Being the first match that Manchester United will play since the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster, it is going to be highly emotional affair. There will be a minute's silence before the match, and all United fans will be hoping that no City fool will disturb the mark of respect.

United are not firing all cylinders at the moment. They slipped up against Spurs last time around at White Hart Lane, managing only a draw. But Sir Alex has argued that the lost can be seen as a point gained rather than two lost. From Ronaldo and Tevez, nobody seems to score and the return of Scholes has given Sir Alex a midfield selection dilemma.

Manchester City have also experienced a drastic drop in their fortunes. their away form has never been great and now they have started to struggle at home too. Their defence has started to leak goals and their strikers don't seem to score enough goals. Now Benjani has cmpleted his move to City he will surely help them in the scoring department.

Rooney and Evra are suspended for today's game, which is quite a blow for United.. This puts an extra responsibility on Ronaldo and Tevez to score today. There is speculation that teenage-striker might be included in the starting line-up, but think he will be on the bench. motivated by the Munich disaster anniversary and the legend of Busby Babes,I expect United to go out all guns blazing. Given City's recent poor form and pathetic away record,able to cope with United's attack. Derbies are always close affairs,bu I expect United to be just too strong for City today.

Prediction: 3-1

Today's second match is a 'Big-Four' clash between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. No one can deny that Chelsea are on a run of real good form. prior to thier draw against Portsmouth, they had chalked up nine straight victories in all competitions,even without thir African stars,JT and Lampard. Signing Anelka has been a huge plus for them and strangely, the injuries have helped their cause, allowing Grant to pick a settled side on a consistent basis.

In contrast, no one can deny that Liverpool are in a sort of a mini-crisis. Board-room problems have coincided with poor on-the-field results. Already out of the title race, now they face a tough battle to for the fouth-place and Benitez seems on the bring of the sack.

The return of Mikel and Lampard will further boost Chelsea. on the other hand Torres is out for Liverpool which makes thier chances of getting a win at Stamford Bridge almost non-existent. I expect Chelsea to have lots of possessin and play thier usual brand of football. Like their recent matches, they will convert their possession into goals,making it very difficult for Liverpool. In the end, I expect the Blues to run out quite comfortable winners tonight.

Pediction: 2-0

The oldest and arguably the best cup competition , FA Cup, is back this weekend. Here are all my predictions for the fourth round matches being played this Sunday (I wanted to write about Saturday's matches as well, but due to a problem with my internet connection, I was unable to do so.)


MANCHESTER UNITED V TOTTENHAM

In terms of sides involved, this is the tie of the round. Many peolple are saying that United's trip to Saudi Arabia will harm thier chances against Spurs-but I don't think so. The friendly against Al-hilal was played on Monday and since then, United have had plenty of time to rest. If anything, the mini-tour should leave United in a better shape for the remainder of the season.

Tottenham will be very bouyant on thier way to Old Traffod after humiliating Arsenal in mid-week. What a story it will make if they manage to take anothe 'Big Four' scalp in space of a week. And Spurs have never had a better chance of doing so as Manager Juande Ramos's cup record is absolutely brilliant. He has not lost a cup game in years and he will be eager to keep it that way. The front four-Berbatov,Keane,Lennon and Malbranque are looking awesome and at the moment, are capable of scoring against anyone.

Having said that,United don't have the meanest defence in the Premier League for nothing. Ferdinand and Vidic should be able to keep Spurs' strikers quiet for most of the match. This match is going to be nice and entertaining one as both sides will go out for a win. But I feel that United will be too strong on the day, especially as they are at home.

Prediction: 2-0


SHEFFIELD UNITED V MANCHESTER CITY

Sheffield United were one of the start- of- the season promotion favourites. But now they are languishing in the mid-table of the Championship with demands for manager Bryan Robson's head growing everyday. Although they managed to beat Bolton in the previous round, their form in the Championship has remained indifferent.

Manchester City has fallen off the pace lately. their defence is very strong, but they seem to lack firepower upfront. Furthermore their away form is awful. Therefore, I think the Blades have a chance in this match and I see this match going to the replay.

Prediction: 1-1


HEREFORD V CARDIFF

Hereford are the other minnows left in this year's competition and they have not got the credit they deserved as all the media attention had been diverted towards Havant and Waterlooville. Hereford will do the best they can against Cardiff, but its not going to be enough, not even to earn themselves a replay.

Prediction: 1-3

Last night, quarter-finals were played in the Carling Cup. In the first match, Arsenal travelled to Ewood Park to face Blackburn Rovers. Bit of a rivalry has developed between the two sides in recent years which results in steamy encounters between them Continuing with his policy of fielding his reserves in the Carling Cup, Arsene Wenger again played a very young side, making 11 chances to the team that played against Chelsea at the weekend. The youngsters justified their selection racing into a 2-0 lead within half hour courtesy of great finishes by Diaby and Eduardo. But you can never rule out a Blackburn comeback these days and Santa Cruz gave them hope, scoring just before half-time. Blackburn gained the initiative in the second- half, and Santa Cruz duly equalised from a Derbyshire cross, taking his tally to an incredible 5 goals in 2 matches. Denilson was sent off near the end of regulation time for a terrible challenge on Dunn, which maked a Blackburn victory even more likely. But all of Blackburn's efforts prooved to be in vain, as Eduardo scored again in extra-time sending the Gunners into the semi-final for the second year in a row.

In the second quarter-final, Tottenham defeated Manchester City at Eastlands, thereby ending City's 100% home record. Jermain Defoe put Spurs ahead as early as the fifth minute, ane Steed Malbranque made sure of the victory 8 minutes from time. Tottenham's task of achieving a win was made much more difficult when referee Steve Bennet sent off Didier Zokora in the 20th minute, but Spurs managed to hang on to seal a place in the last 4 of the cup keeping a clean sheet at last (thanks in no small part to Paul Robinson's fantastic saves).

Tonight, Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in the last quarter-final of the Carling Cup. I expect the managers of both teams to field fairly strong line-ups as both of them need a win desperately to restore pride and confidence after damaging defeats at the hands of their rivals at the weekend. I think the match will be quite cagey at first, but become more open as the match progresses due to the fact that it is a cup-tie. Steven Gerrard is out of the match which is a big blow to Liverpool. Everyone knows that Liverpool are just not the same team without their talismanic captain. Moreover,Chelsea are at home and I expect somebody from their midfield to come up with the goods(their strikers are hopeless,apart from Drogba).Therefore,I am going for a Chelsea win. Let's see whice side delivers the knock-out blow to the other one tonight.