Cape Town - There’s far from inconsequential business to attend to for both beforehand, but the high-stakes all-Manchester clash between United and City at Old Trafford on Wednesday dominates the latest series of Premiership matches.
Although City have the tougher task of the two on paper this weekend - yes, a fast turnaround repeat visit from Euro conquerors Tottenham - our experts still largely fancy them to bag all three points against their bitter rivals away a few days onward.
The Blues won the equivalent clash 2-1 last season, Nicolas Otamendi netting the all-important winner.
Compiled by Rob Houwing (Newcastle-partial), the other Premiership prediction panellists are Garrin Lambley (Everton, and defending champion), Lloyd Burnard, Tashreeq Vardien, Baden Gillion and Lynn Butler (all Man Utd) plus Craig Taylor (Liverpool).
Have a go yourself: three points are awarded to the forecasters for an entirely correct score-line, and one for right result.
OUR FORECASTS:
MANCHESTER CITY v TOTTENHAM
Saturday, 13:30
Rob: 2-0
Garrin: 2-0
Tashreeq: 3-1
Lloyd: 3-0
Lynn: 2-1
Craig: 2-2
Baden: 2-1
Last season: 4-1
WEST HAM v LEICESTER
Saturday, 16:00
Rob: 1-0
Garrin: 1-1
Tashreeq: 2-1
Lloyd: 2-1
Lynn: 0-1
Craig: 1-2
Baden: 2-1
Last season: 1-1
WOLVES v BRIGHTON
Saturday, 16:00
Rob: 2-0
Garrin: 2-1
Tashreeq: 1-2
Lloyd: 2-0
Lynn: 2-0
Craig: 2-1
Baden: 2-0
Last season: Not applicable
HUDDERSFIELD v WATFORD
Saturday, 16:00
Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 1-2
Tashreeq: 1-1
Lloyd: 0-3
Lynn: 0-1
Craig: 1-2
Baden: 3-0
Last season: 1-0
BOURNEMOUTH v FULHAM
Saturday, 16:00
Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 2-0
Tashreeq: 1-0
Lloyd: 2-0
Lynn: 2-0
Craig: 2-0
Baden: 1-0
Last season: Not applicable
NEWCASTLE v SOUTHAMPTON
Saturday, 18:30
Rob: 2-1
Garrin: 1-1
Tashreeq: 1-2
Lloyd: 1-0
Lynn: 2-1
Craig: 1-1
Baden: 2-1
Last season: 3-0
EVERTON v MANCHESTER UNITED
Sunday, 14:30
Rob: 0-1
Garrin: 1-2
Tashreeq: 1-2
Lloyd: 1-3
Lynn: 1-2
Craig: 1-2
Baden: 1-2
Last season: 0-2
CARDIFF v LIVERPOOL
Sunday, 17:00
Rob: 0-1
Garrin: 0-3
Tashreeq: 0-3
Lloyd: 1-3
Lynn: 0-3
Craig: 0-3
Baden: 1-3
Last season: Not applicable
ARSENAL v CRYSTAL PALACE
Sunday, 17:00
Rob: 3-0
Garrin: 2-0
Tashreeq: 1-0
Lloyd: 3-1
Lynn: 3-1
Craig: 2-1
Baden: 1-0
Last season: 4-1
CHELSEA v BURNLEY
Monday, 21:00
Rob: 1-0
Garrin: 2-0
Tashreeq: 2-0
Lloyd: 2-0
Lynn: 2-0
Craig: 2-0
Baden: 2-0
Last season: 2-3
TOTTENHAM v BRIGHTON
Tuesday, 20:45
Rob: 2-0
Garrin: 3-0
Tashreeq: 2-1
Lloyd: 2-0
Lynn: 2-0
Craig: 2-0
Baden: 2-0
Last season: 2-0
WATFORD v SOUTHAMPTON
Tuesday, 20:45
Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 1-1
Tashreeq: 1-0
Lloyd: 2-0
Lynn: 0-0
Craig: 1-1
Baden: 1-1
Last season: 2-2
WOLVES v ARSENAL
Wednesday, 20:45
Rob: 1-2
Garrin: 1-1
Tashreeq: 1-0
Lloyd: 3-1
Lynn: 1-2
Craig: 1-2
Baden: 1-0
Last season: Not applicable
MANCHESTER UNITED v MANCHESTER CITY
Wednesday, 21:00
Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 1-2
Tashreeq: 1-2
Lloyd: 0-1
Lynn: 1-2
Craig: 1-2
Baden: 1-2
Last season: 1-2
LEADERBOARD:
271 - Garrin (6 points in last round) & Lynn (6)
266 - Rob (8)
263 - Baden (8)
260 - Tashreeq (9)
250 - Lloyd (9) & Craig (6)