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Manchester - Manchester City has the chance to show it is a serious threat to cross-town rival Manchester United when the two sides meet at Eastlands on Wednesday.
United has long overshadowed its neighbour, but City manager Roberto Mancini said on Tuesday that the balance of power has shifted.
"I think they know that now we are a strong team," Mancini said. "We have respect for United and Ferguson because he is a top manager in the world, but we can beat them always now."
Last season, City lost three matches against United on late goals - twice in the Premier League and once in the League Cup. But Mancini is convinced those results prove the two sides are now evenly matched.
"We played at the same level over the last few derbies, and we only lost in the last minute," Mancini said. "That's important to remember, but we are a different team this season. There are two good squads for tomorrow night, so anything could happen.
"United play to the last second, they beat Wolves (on Saturday) late on because they have a strong mentality. But we matched them last season and we have to remember that."
City ended a run of three straight losses with a win over West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, putting it level on points with third-place Arsenal but behind on goal difference.
United's win over Wolves closed the gap on leader Chelsea to two points.
Though United has won its last four league meetings with City, manager Alex Ferguson said the game has taken on added significance since City was taken over by an Abu Dhabi group and spent 250 million pounds ($400 million) on players.
"Now the game between ourselves and City is one of great intensity," Ferguson said. "It's built up by the media explosion around what City are doing and trying to achieve in their own way and the fact we're both in the same city.
"There's an incredible intensity in the derby game now which wasn't there 10 or 15 years ago."
City is likely to be without Mario Balotelli following his red card against West Brom on Sunday, unless the club's appeal is successful. Emmanuel Adebayor is a doubt with a calf complaint.
United's squad is currently struggling to contain a virus that has swept through the camp with several players sent home on Monday. In addition, Ryan Giggs and Owen Hargreaves have hamstring injuries and Nani has a groin complaint.
