Manchester City vs. Manchester United 2012 Preview: Which Side has the Better Keeper and Defenders in Sunday's Derby?

The clash between Manchester City and Manchester United represents a major moment for both sides as the match could potentially decide the EPL Championship.

Defense and goalkeeping are going to figure prominently in this match with both sides, particularly United, having potent offenses. But which side is better on the backend?

Goal Keeping

Manchester City has Joe Hart, who for many was their MVP in their dreadful UEFA Champions League campaign. Hart has been equally impressive in the EPL this season having allowed the fewest goals in the entire league (11). Only one other team (Stoke City) has allowed less 12 or less goals with every other team allowing at least 16 or more. Hart also has an impressive six clean sheets in 15 EPL matches this season (two in his last three EPL matches) and has made 27 total saves, many of the spectacular variety.

At the opposite net is a bit more of an anomaly. Sir Alex Ferguson has been consistently switching between David de Gea and Anders Lindegaard for the duration of the season to rather questionable results. Man U is at the top of the league in goals scored and points, but the 21 goal against in 15 EPL matches is a glaring figure that is hard to ignore. Lindegaard has gotten the nod in the last four EPL matches while de Gea got the UCL start this Wednesday. However, neither has been particularly great with Lindegaard conceding three times against Reading and de Gea having just one clean sheet in seven EPL starts. Both have proven unreliable for Ferguson and while it is likely that Lindegaard starts on Sunday, his potential impact is questionable at best.

Edge: Manchester City. Jose Hart is undoubtedly the superior talent in net between the two sides.

Defense

Manchester City has given up less goals on the season and has had a rather solid defensive squad. Maicon is the major figure there, but Mancini also relies heavily on Vincent Kompany and Joleton Lescott on the back end. Kompany will likely get the toughest task of the night as he will have to stop the unstoppable Robin Van persie. If Kompany can accomplish this task, then United's offensive chances could diminish greatly. Matja Nastasic is the wild card here and may have to take on United's other scoring threat Javier Hernandez, who has finally come into his own this season. If Lescott starts, tehn he will be the one in charge of Hernandez, but either one of these guys will have to shut down the young Mexican.

Ferguson's defensive side is not among the best in the EPL despite having prominent figures like Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, and Jonny Evans on the backend. These two guys will get the thankless tasks of stopping City's top two scorers Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero. Evra is always wreckless, but if he plays a focused match, he could potentially help stabilize the United backend.

Edge: City. Manchester City has a more disciplined backend.