Stevan Jovetic is hoping for the ideal birthday present in the form of three points against Manchester United on Sunday.
The Manchester City striker turns 25 on the day of the 168th derby and feels it is a good chance for his side to return to form after suffering back-to-back defeats.
"Yes, it is my birthday. I am 25," said the Montenegro international. "The best gift for me is a victory in the derby.
"I think it is a good game because always when you play a derby your motivation is 100 percent. It is going to be difficult because they are a very good team. They have new players, good players, but we believe we can win and we need to show that."
City have lost 2-0 to Newcastle in the Capital One Cup and 2-1 to West Ham in the Premier League but Jovetic feels they will show their true selves against their local rivals.
He added: "It can happen because we are playing 60 games in the whole year and it must be a period that every team in the world has. I am sure this is going to be the last game we play like this.
"It is good we are playing every three days. We need to improve. I am sure we are going to show our real face against United. If you win the derby it is going to be much easier and we are going to forget this game [Newcastle]."
The former Fiorentina player joined City in 2013 but missed both of last season's derby wins.
He explained: "I was fit both games but I didn't play. But I know what the derby means because I played a couple of derbies with Partizan [Belgrade]. These kind of games are the best thing for players. Honestly, I can't wait."
Jovetic made his first start in 11 games against Newcastle on Wednesday and said: "I am sad because I didn't score. I am always sad when I don't score because that is my job.
"But after a long time I played 90 minutes and I feel good. That is important. I played also for the national team and I feel good. You could see I felt sharp."