MANCHESTER UNITED VS MANCHESTER CITY CARLING CUP BETTING TIPS

What a fixture this is going to be! With off-the-field news and tension exacerbating the growing financial gulf between the two sides, there is more than just a 1st leg victory at stake here- much more. There is also more than the usual Manchester bragging rights up for grabs as well. What we have on the line in this match is pride and momentum and at this stage in the season, the big mo’ is what you need in your corner.
Manchester City are starting to make noise to the media that they could well finish above United in the Premiership rankings this season. I think that’s a little far-fetched, especially as the injury crisis looks to be easing at Old Trafford. There are rumours circulating that Rio Ferdinand is ready to return and, after missing so much time, he will need to get off to a very big start to dispel talk that he might not make the plane to South Africa. Meanwhile, former Manchester United fan-favourite Carlos Tevez has been banging in the goals recently for City- goals United would surely be coveting in their title race now. The Tevez factor could be the dominant narrative to the match.
William Hill has listed City as the favourite. That’s right, they are 5/4 to beat United at home while the Red Devils trade at 13/8 for the away victory. The draw pays 23/10 and I think in a first-leg situation the draw is always a very realistic possibility. United would likely be satisfied with a 1-1 scenario or even a 2-2. There are a full 177 different markets available on this fixture with Hills.
The 1-1 draw is short-priced at 9/2, very short for that scoreline, and that shows where the bookies truly think things will wind up. 1-0 to City pays 6/1 while 1-0 to United garners a 13/2 price. 2-1 to City pays 7/1 while 2-1 to United pays 15/2. The correct score prices are so close together, with City just a hairsbreath ahead of United on virtually every selection up to 6-0 where things get dead-even again.
I am expecting City to deploy Patrick Vieira in this fixture and that could be another dominant narrative. If he comes out and rolls back the years, then United could have their work cut out for them, but if he comes out and looks completely out of sorts then it could be the busted flush from City that United may need to win the pot.
In terms of the goalscorer markets, Emmanuel Adebayor and Carlos Tevez trade at 7/4 anytime and 6/1 first or last. They are 40/1 to hit a hat-trick and 10/1 to score 2 or more. Benjani trades at 15/8 anytime while Craig Bellamy and Roque Santa Cruz are both at 7/1 first or last and 2/1 anytime.
For United, they’ll doubtlessly be looking to their talisman Wayne Rooney who is the favoured goalscorer in the match at 5/1 first or last and 5/4 anytime. He is 15/2 to score 2 or more and a slim 33/1 to score a hat-trick. What a hat-trick that would be! Michael Owen is well-priced at 11/2 first or last (back him to score last) and 6/4 anytime. Luis Antonio Valencia is also well-priced at 2/1 anytime.
My suggestion is to keep your eyes peeled for a cameo from Mame Diouf, the new recruit at United got off the mark with a great header at the weekend and he’ll be looking to build on that. That’s a really character-building step to score that early after such a big transfer. It would be poetic justice if a United newboy wound up spoiling the day for City fans.
My tip is a 1-1 draw, but keep your eyes peeled to the in-play markets, as you may have a better idea of how things will shape up after watching for 15 minutes or so to try to get the rhythm of the game down. I think City are overlaid here and United could put together an overdue masterclass.