State of flux may erode usual thrill of first Manchester derby of the season

The Manchester derby has developed into the key battle in the English Premier League and has been as exciting as it has been tense, but the old certainties seem less solid going into tomorrow's first showdown of the season.

The form and prospects of both teams under their new managers are still in a state of flux, with flashes of the old brilliance mixed with a fresh sense of vulnerability, but they will be aware of how important the first Manchester derby of the season has become. Two seasons ago City sent shock waves through English football with a 6-1 win at Old Trafford in October that sent them into an early five-point lead and ultimately to the title. Last season the tables were turned in December when City were beaten 3-2 at home by United, who then had a six-point lead and proved uncatchable.

This season's title battle is already looking more than just a two-horse race, which makes it difficult to see tomorrow's game as such a decisive contest, but it is important for both teams to gain some momentum.

City started in blistering style under Manuel Pellegrini with a 4-0 home win over Newcastle, but then came stuttering performances (especially in taking only one point from visits to Cardiff and Stoke) before the 3-0 midweek Champions League win at Viktoria Plzen.

On paper, City had one of the easier starts in the Premier League - certainly less taxing than United's - and their failure to capitalise has raised early question marks over where they are heading under Pellegrini.

What will give City fans and backers hope is their good home record. They have won 34 of their 40 home league games since the start of the 2011-12 season, including both of this season's home games under Pellegrini without conceding a goal. More significantly, City have won seven out of 10 at home to big-six sides in that period, with United inflicting the only defeat.