A few years ago if you looked at the fixture list and saw a visit by Manchester United to Manchester City, you would have barely batted an eyelid, seen the game as yet another comfortable three points for United in their quest for the English Premier League title.
How things have changed.
On Sunday, City will take the field with United on an equal footing in terms of quality, and as the reigning Premier League champions. It is a reality that Sir Alex Ferguson is not too happy about, but knows he has to live by.
This year's Premier League campaign is already starting to look like a two-horse race between the two Manchester rivals, with the duo already seven points clear of the third-placed team Chelsea.
There is little doubt that at the end of 38 games, one of United or City will be at the top of the table, and the deciding factor could be the result at the Etihad, just the 16th game of the season.
Last year, City did a double on United - winning 6-1 at Old Trafford, then pulling off the most crucial of 1-0 victories at their home ground.
The first result went a long way in deciding the table on goal difference, with both teams locked with the same amount of points. The second result made City believe, after a late season blip, they could actually win the title and pip their rivals to the top.
The two matches between the two teams this season could also have an equally telling effect, with just three points separating them currently. A win for City, and they will top the table - City have the better goal difference; a victory for United will see them go six points clear.
So, there is plenty at stake in the weekend's marquee game. So much, that David Silva has been deemed fit by City manager Roberto Mancini, while James Milner and Gael Clichy are also hoping to prove their fitness. Aleksandar Kolarov and Micah Richards are definitely ruled out, though.
United are hoping Tom Cleverley can be passed fit, while Nani and Antonio Valencia will miss the game. Ferguson will also not take a chance with Shinji Kagawa and Nemanja Vidic, who have recently returned to training from injury.
The mind games are in full flow as well, with Sir Alex Ferguson pointing to the fact that City have won way too many penalties on home turf, while Mancini immediately hit back and pointed out the fact that Ashley Young has the habit of diving inside the box too often.
"The number of penalty kicks they get, 21 in the last year or something like that," Ferguson said. "If we got that number of penalty kicks there'd be an inquiry in the House of Commons. There'd be a protest."
Mancini clearly not one to back away from the comments said United had got their fair share of penalties as well, while commenting on Ferguson's penchant to rile up his opponents before a big game.
"I think four or five times in the last 10 games (last season) and then (Ferguson) didn't say anything, but this can happen," Mancini said.
"Fergie is clever for this. I think in the last 15 years there have been some penalties for them. Not a lot, but two or three in the last 15 years," he added sarcastically.
"I remember very well last year. When Young was swimming in the box," Mancini said while gesturing like a swimmer diving into the water.
With all the attention on the big game, one man in particular will not have a great night's sleep on Saturday. Martin Atkinson has been given the honor of refereeing the game, and he will deem his performance a success -- if the media, the managers, the players and the commentators mention him as little as possible during and after the game.
United vs City is here to stay. What impact the latest of those Manchester Derbies has, will be known when the final whistle is blown on Sunday.
Expected lineups: Manchester City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Maicon; Garcia, Toure, Nasri, Silva; Tevez, Aguero.
Manchester United: Lindegaard; Evra, Ferdinand, Evans, Rafael; Carrick, Fletcher, Young, Scholes; Rooney, Van Persie.
Prediction: 2-2
