Manchester City boss Pellegrini has picked up two wins, a draw and a defeat in his four Premier League games since replacing Roberto Mancini, while United counterpart Moyes has an identical record since succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson.
Moyes will take his team across Manchester hoping to emulate last season's dramatic 3-2 win for United and also maintain his own excellent record at the Etihad Stadium.
The Scot won on four of his last six visits as Everton manager, losing just once, and victory on Sunday would continue a run of 'firsts' for Moyes.
Last week's 2-0 success over Crystal Palace was Moyes' first win at Old Trafford before he celebrated his first Champions League group game as a manager by beating Bayer Leverkusen 4-2 at home on Tuesday.
Wayne Rooney was a central figure in that game after scoring twice, and he also netted a brace in the corresponding Manchester derby last season.
Rooney, who was described by Moyes as 'world class' after the Leverkusen win, put United 2-0 up before Robin van Persie's deflected free-kick stole the points in stoppage-time after Yaya Toure and Pablo Zabaleta had drawn City level.
However, last season's goal-fest was a rarity as the previous six meetings at The Etihad had failed to produce a game containing more than one goal.
Pellegrini is familiar with low-scoring affairs against United as, in four encounters during his time as Villarreal coach, each game finished 0-0 in the Champions League.
City impressed in Europe in midweek after a 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen and Pellegrini is seeking a hat-trick of home wins in the Premier League after beating Newcastle and Hull City 4-0 and 2-0 respectively.
And, despite injuries hitting City's defence, they have kept clean sheets in four of their five games so far this season.
City captain Vincent Kompany is fit to start his first Premier League game since the opening weekend after playing 90 minutes against Plzen in midweek.
Defenders Micah Richards (hamstring) and Gael Clichy, along with David Silva, have trained, but are unlikely to be fit, while Martin Demichelis is out with a knee injury.
Pellegrini could, therefore, name an unchanged team after the 3-0 win in Plzen, where Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko started up front.
United boss Moyes must decide whether to make any changes to the side which beat Leverkusen, against whom Shinji Kagawa started his first game under the Scot.
Kagawa shrugged off a virus to start, but he could make way, with Nani available after a European suspension and Ashley Young pushing for a recall.
England striker Danny Welbeck is still doubtful, while Phil Jones and Rafael are sidelined, so Chris Smalling could again start at right-back.
Source: Sky Sports
*I just hope United can sneak this one, or better still end in a draw..*
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