WEEKEND DERBY DRAMA: Manchester derby or Merseyside derby… which mammoth Premier League showdown is historically the most exciting?

THIS Sunday sees a delectable derby double-header… as Liverpool host Everton, while Manchester City make the short trip to Manchester United.

After a number of “Super Sundays” unashamedly boasting clashes such as Bournemouth vs Southampton and Watford vs West Ham, we’re finally back in the big leagues.

If there are any fixtures to set the blood boiling and the adrenaline pumping, it’s the derbies on Merseyside and in Manchester… that and North London, of course.

But which famous local derby is the most exciting of the two?

If it’s goals your interested in then, while they are both filled with net-busters, Manchester is the real place for you.

Man City and Man United have faced off 40 times in the Premier League era, with an impressive 110 goals on show – an average of 2.8 per game.

Meanwhile, Liverpool and Everton have gone head-to-head 50 times, scoring 115 goals at a slightly lesser 2.3 goals per outing.

With the Reds on an absolute rampage at the moment – with 43 goals in their last 11 games – and the Toffees struggling, you’d bank on that gap to close very soon.

Despite being known as the “Friendly Derby” for its distinct family feel, the Liverpool and Everton players seem to utterly despise each other on the pitch.

Amazing, in their 50 Prem battles, there have been 21 red cards – nearly one every other game – and 200 yellows, at four per clash.

Over in Manchester, there have been just eight reds and 153 yellows in their 40 games – at 0.2 and 3.8 per game respectively.

A year ago, Liverpool won both fixtures over Everton – 3-1 at home and 1-0 away – with no players sent-off in a break from the norm.

Meanwhile, City won 2-1 at Old Trafford last season, before drawing 0-0 at home – with Marouane Fellaini sent-off for the visitors in that one.

While last season’s outings were anything but tame, expect to see more fireworks on Sunday as this season truly starts to heat up…