Teasing wait to Manchester derby!

Cape Town - It’s a wait until the unusual English Premiership slot of Thursday night for the pick of the latest salvo of matches... the meeting of Manchester’s finest.

Intensification of the race for Champions League spots only spices up City (currently fourth) versus United (fifth) further, and our panel are fairly torn over the outcome.

The Red Devils bagged the corresponding game at Etihad Stadium last season, courtesy of an early strike from Marcus Rashford, and before the big showdown must also face near-neighbours Burnley away on Sunday.

Each round of the 2016/17 Premiership campaign, a group of our staff has a crack at predicting the results - do the exercise yourself, if you like, and see how you compare afterwards.

Compiled by Rob Houwing (Newcastle-partial; he swears the Championship is more competitive), the others are Garrin Lambley (Everton), Lloyd Burnard, Tashreeq Vardien, Maano Nekhavhambe and Lynn Butler (all Man Utd) plus Craig Taylor (Liverpool).

Three points are awarded for an entirely correct scoreline, and one for right result.

OUR FORECASTS:

BOURNEMOUTH v MIDDLESBROUGH
Saturday, 16:00

Rob: 1-0
Garrin: 2-1
Tashreeq: 0-0
Maano: 1-1
Craig: 1-0
Lynn: 1-0
Lloyd: 3-1

Last season: Not applicable                      

HULL v WATFORD
Saturday, 16:00

Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 2-1
Tashreeq: 1-2
Maano: 1-1
Craig: 1-1
Lynn: 1-1
Lloyd: 3-1

Last season: Not applicable                                       

SWANSEA v STOKE
Saturday, 16:00

Rob: 1-0
Garrin: 1-1
Tashreeq: 1-3
Maano: 0-1
Craig: 1-1
Lynn: 0-2
Lloyd: 3-0

Last season: 0-1                                               

WEST HAM v EVERTON
Saturday, 16:00

Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 1-1
Tashreeq: 1-2  
Maano: 1-3
Craig: 0-2
Lynn: 1-3
Lloyd: 1-2

Last season: 1-1                                                  

BURNLEY v MANCHESTER UNITED
Sunday, 15:15

Rob: 0-1
Garrin: 1-2
Tashreeq: 1-3
Maano: 1-3
Craig: 0-2
Lynn: 0-2
Lloyd: 0-2

Last season: Not applicable                                                      

LIVERPOOL v CRYSTAL PALACE
Sunday, 17:30

Rob: 2-0
Garrin: 2-0
Tashreeq: 1-1
Maano: 2-1
Craig: 2-2
Lynn: 2-1
Lloyd: 2-0

Last season: 1-2                 

CHELSEA v SOUTHAMPTON
Tuesday, 20:45

Rob: 2-0
Garrin: 2-1
Tashreeq: 1-0
Maano: 1-1
Craig: 2-0
Lynn: 2-0
Lloyd: 2-0

Last season: 1-3                                                              

ARSENAL v LEICESTER
Wednesday, 20:45

Rob: 2-0
Garrin: 2-1
Tashreeq: 1-0  
Maano: 1-2
Craig: 2-1
Lynn: 2-1
Lloyd: 2-1

Last season: 2-1

MIDDLESBROUGH v SUNDERLAND
Wednesday, 20:45

Rob: 0-0
Garrin: 2-1
Tashreeq: 0-0
Maano: 0-1
Craig: 0-1
Lynn: 1-0
Lloyd: 1-1

Last season: Not applicable                                                      

CRYSTAL PALACE v TOTTENHAM
Wednesday, 21:00

Rob: 1-2
Garrin: 1-2
Tashreeq: 0-1
Maano: 1-2
Craig: 1-2
Lynn: 1-2
Lloyd: 1-2

Last season: 1-3                                                      

MANCHESTER CITY v MANCHESTER UNITED
Thursday, 21:00

Rob: 2-1
Garrin: 1-1
Tashreeq: 1-2
Maano: 0-1
Craig: 2-2
Lynn: 1-1
Lloyd: 1-2

Last season: 0-1                                                     

*LEADERBOARD:

255 Garrin (8 points in last round)
248 Lynn (8)
247 Rob (12)
240 Lloyd (6)
231 Tashreeq (7)
228 Craig (8)
199 Maano (8)