Mark Hughes says his team is fired up and ready for Sunday's derby showdown with Manchester United. "We're going there in good heart and confidence," Hughes said after watching Sir Alex Ferguson's men reach the UEFA Champions league final, beating Arsenal 4-1 on aggregate. "You have to go to Old Trafford in the belief you can get something out of it."
Hughes' men will be in confident mood, buoyed by winning their last three games, which have catapulted the team to the brink of European qualification. It was a situation that was unthinkable at the end of 2008 as the team struggled and temporarily dropped in to the bottom three. City have clawed their way up and Hughes will be looking for the points which will cement eight position and possibly move them into seventh.
In last season's corresponding fixture, two first half goals from Darius Vassell and Benjani gave City the points, despite a last minute goal from Michael Carrick. The blues will be looking to emulate that game which was their first win at Old Trafford since Dennis Law back-heeled United out of the first division in 1973/74 season
"It's a big game we need to get something out of. If we pick up points from our last three matches we'll go close."