Big games on the horizon

City kit boss and former LAtics star Les Chapman writes every week for Chron Sport

MANCHESTER City are gearing up for two huge matches following the 1-1 draw with Everton at the weekend.

The Toffees are our jinx team, having beaten us in eight of the last 10 meetings - so to earn a point against a very good side is hardly the end of the world.

Tonight we take on Borussia Dortmund in the final group game of our UEFA Champions League campaign.

We cannot progress in the competition but, if we claim three points and Ajax do not beat Real Madrid, we will secure qualification for the Europa League.

The reigning German champions are formidable opponents, so we know what we are up against tonight.

And on Sunday our neighbours and current Premier League leaders Manchester United visit the Etihad Stadium for the first derby of the campaign.

If it is even possible, this fixture seems to get bigger and bigger every season, taking on more importance now we are the two leading sides in the country.

It has all the ingredients to be a superb football match, whether you are red, blue or a neutral.

Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie — who will be playing in his first all-Manchester clash — are the driving force.

They don’t give you a moment’s peace and have the natural finishing ability to punish you.

It is no secret Sir Alex Ferguson’s side has been conceding more goals than usual and of course we hope to continue that trend - but the form book tends to go out of the window in these games, so who knows what will happen?