Manchester City Host Manchester United In Crisis Derby, Newcastle Need Win

Manchester's crisis-hit clubs face off in the Premier League when City host United on Sunday while Newcastle boss Eddie Howe badly needs a win against Leicester at St James' Park. Leaders Liverpool, playing Fulham at Anfield, will expect to stretch their lead at the top of the table a day before second-placed Chelsea take on Brentford. AFP Sport looks at the major talking points ahead of the weekend action.

Derby day for struggling Manchester clubs

Manchester City's run of one win in 10 games in all competitions is an unprecedented slump for the English champions during Pep Guardiola's reign.

Guardiola admitted he was questioning himself after the club's latest defeat -- a 2-0 loss at Juventus -- left them in danger of missing out on the Champions League knockout stages.

Among a series of eye-catching statistics, City have conceded more goals across all competitions than any other team from Europe's big five leagues (21 in nine games) since the start of November.

However, despite their horrific run, the blue side of Manchester are still eight points clear of a United team who have tumbled to 13th in the table.

New United boss Ruben Amorim has won just one of his four Premier League games since taking charge at Old Trafford, though he does have recent experience of beating Guardiola's men, leading Sporting Lisbon to a 4-1 Champions League victory in his final home match with the Portuguese champions.

However, City might not be quaking in their boots -- misfiring United have an embarrassing recent record at the Etihad, shipping 13 goals in their past three Premier League matches during three heavy defeats.

Slot demands no dip from Liverpool

Liverpool manager Arne Slot demanded more from his side after they ground out a