Manchester City fullback Pablo Zabaleta believes Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will lose his nerve and select a full-strength team for their Carling Cup semifinal.
United go into the tie on the back of yesterday's humiliation by Leeds United in the FA Cup.
Zabaleta said: "The fans are very excited about the game - it is a great opportunity for us to show what we can do against one of the big clubs. It is very important in the history of the club and we have a great chance.
"Every team can change players in the cup games, but I am sure United know this is a derby game and they want to beat us in the semi-final, so probably they will play with all the top players.
"Big teams have big squads and sometimes in cup games the manager can rotate but when you talk about this game, it is different. It is a great game for them, just as it is for us, and I am sure Alex Ferguson will probably pick his first-choice players."
City conceded four goals at Old Trafford in the Premier League earlier this season, but Zabaleta went on: "We have worked on our defence since then.
" We know that this game is important for the club and for the fans. We need to try and give the club and the fans a great celebration.
"United are a great club, they have won a lot of trophies in their history. Now here at City we need to create history and winning the Carling Cup could be the start of it."