2012 Manchester Derby Betting Tips and Preview
- By A.J. Ryder on April 30, 2012 17:09 GMT
Probably one of the biggest fixtures in recent memory will unfold today in the English Premier League as the Manchester Derby to end all Manchester Derbies is set to unfold at Eastlands today. Nothing less than the league title is more or less on the line today as Roberto Macini's charges take on Sir Alex Ferguson in a must-win clash.
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Both sides will have a pair of fixtures to navigate after this one with City facing a much tougher run-in than United.
With three points separating the side and City with a nearly unassailable lead on goal difference, there is absolutely no margin for error for Fergie's men. A draw would favour them but it would still be looked upon as points dropped.
City will obviously go into this one with a mind focused on their 6-1 victory over United earlier in the season. It will be interesting to see if Mario Balotelli does actually start the match. It's an interesting reflection on Mancini's management style that he had cast Balotelli aside so easily just a week or two ago and now looks willing to let bygones be bygones.
As it currently stands, bookmakers have City priced at around 6/5 while the Red Devils are listed at 5/2 to get all three points. The draw is trading at an 11/5 price tag and it will be interesting to see how much of a swashbuckling style city attempt to deploy in this one. Should they push forward too much in numbers then United will hit them on the break.
There is a distinct chance that this one could have a very tepid first half with both sides doing little to commit themselves forward until the second half of the match.
The other big variable in this one is penalties and red cards. Both sides have players who know a thing or two about bad tackles and it could get very heated, very early – particularly if Carlos Tevez is one the pitch. He'll be looking to make a big statement here against his old club and you reckon that the United players will have their eye on him as well.
