Paul Merson is convinced Manchester City will batter rivals Manchester United - and the result will be the catalyst for them to win the title.
The Red Devils play host to their very noisy neighbours at Old Trafford on Wednesday, looking for three points to keep their top-four hopes alive, not to mention for the bragging rights.
But last time out they were well and truly battered 4-0 by Everton at Goodison Park, and former Arsenal forward Merson thinks the Manchester Derby will go the same way.
"I think the league will be won here as I expect Manchester City to win easily," Merson told Sky Sports. " Manchester United are just not very good. It was embarrassing against Everton and the players should be ashamed of themselves."
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Manchester City are under pressure to beat United, not just for the aforementioned bragging rights, but to go above Liverpool at the top of the table.
Merson continued: "There could be some nerves for City as United will park the bus. You need the second goal to make sure you win every game because at 1-0 you never know, there could be a set-play and then it's level."
Both Manchester City and Liverpool are running out of games, but it is the Citizens who are in the driving seat, as long as they win all of their final four fixtures.
The Manchester Derby is undoubtedly their hardest test from here until the end of the season, and Merson is convinced that should they get over this hurdle the title is theres.
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"If City win this game, I can't see how they are going to be stopped," Merson concluded.
"They have one game a week for three weeks and, no disrespect to the teams they are playing, if they can't win those three games with the squad they have got then they don't deserve to win the league."
