Watching from afar: The Manchester derby

In England’s North West two teams prepare for one of the biggest matches in the footballing calendar. In Sydney's inner west, Christian Layland and Matt Greenlaw play keepy-uppie in the backyard, talking about the Manchester derby.

It's a strange but common phenomenon in Australia where someone will watch a match 17,000 kilometres away featuring two teams from a city they’ve never been yet appear to be as passionate and one-eyed as those at the ground.

Matt is a United fan. Growing up in Scotland he was forced by his classmates to pick an English Premier League side. Christian on the other hand chose City in his youth because he wanted to follow an underdog.

Matt and Christian discuss the upcoming Manchester derby. Credit: David Molloy

Despite motives for choosing a club varying more than Antonio Valencia’s form, the end result is almost always the same; a long distance relationship filled with late night lovemaking.

Four games in to this season and matters are already tight between the two Manchester clubs that have taken the top two spots for the previous two seasons. On equal points and similar goal difference it’s hard to pick a winner.

Despite the season being in its early stages, both sides will know how crucial this battle will be; it was only two seasons ago that City won the title on goal difference, its 6-1 victory at Old Trafford giving them their first top division title for 44 years.

To make the task of splitting the two clubs even harder, both have undergone managerial changes through the off-season with neither side of Manchester certain which change is for the better.

David Moyes, an unflattering coach who has achieved great success with limited budget and limited style has come on board for the red side of town and while some don’t believe he has what it take to manage a big club his recent record of seven wins from his last ten matches against City is quite simply impressive.

City meanwhile have gone with Chilean Manuel Pellegrini who many would consider the exact opposite of Moyes. Building his success in continental Europe on the back of a beautiful style of football, City gave a glimpse of that in the Champions League midweek. The doubts of critics though who claim his style and manner won’t succeed in England, have yet to be dismissed by City’s league performances so far.

The return of Captain Vincent Kompany for City and the resurrection of Wayne Rooney for United will also add an extra element of spice to this match.

Whether you are Blue or Red there are lots of exotic betting options at Luxbet for example Rooney to score first is $7.50 or Kompany is at $27 if anyone fancies a flutter.

So even if you did originally choose United simply because you like the colour red, or City because you enjoy a good bandwagon as much as the next guy, grab a beer, enjoy the match and try not to wake the neighbours.