EPL: Manchester United must beat Manchester City in derby, says Robbie Fowler

Manchester City have won a record-equalling 13 English Premier League (EPL) matches in a row and boast of an eight-point lead over second-placed Manchester United. Both teams lock horns at Old Trafford in this weekend's Manchester derby where a win for Pep Guardiola's men could consolidate City's position at the top. Liverpool and England great Robbie Fowler reckons the Red Devils need to beat their blue counterparts in order to stop them from running away with the title.

Liverpool great Robbie Fowler high fives the club mascot during an event in the city yesterday. Pic/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI

"City have a very good side this season. They are favourites to win the title. The rest of the clubs are playing catch-up. We need them to drop a few points to make the title race interesting. Jose Mourinho & Co have to beat City this weekend," Fowler said on the sidelines of the LFC World Tour in the city yesterday. The EPL will also see Liverpool host Everton in the Merseyside derby this weekend and Fowler, 42, who marked his Merseyside derby debut by scoring the winner against Everton in March 1994, felt the Reds will have an advantage. "Being a Liverpool fan, I want them to win. They are favourites considering the form they are in," said the former striker, who is the sixth-highest goal-scorer in the history of the EPL with 162 goals.

Fowler, who made 266 appearances for Liverpool, felt that whatever be the result in the derbies, both will be top games. "When you play the derby games, the atmosphere is totally different from what you are used to in other games. The players tend to bring their top game and it will be a feast to watch," he said. Liverpool head into the derby with a morale-boosting 7-0 win over Spartak Moscow in the Champions League on Wednesday. The Reds will also face the Toffees in the FA Cup third round on January 6 and Fowler is confident they will ruin Everton's New Year. "Liverpool will want to go as far as they can in the FA Cup. We will be looking to finish in the Top 4 in the EPL because a club of their stature needs to be in the Champions League and fighting for trophies. So by the end, Liverpool will not have ruined Everton's season, but a lot of other clubs' season as well."

13 No. of consecutive games Man City have won to equal the record for longest winning run in a single season

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