MANCHESTER UNITED VS TOTTENHAM CARLING CUP TIPS

Sir Alex Ferguson looks set to get the kids out for another run here as Manchester United’s up-and-comers take on a resurgent Spurs side. Part of me genuinely wishes that this was a proper league fixture, but I’m still anticipating a quality match. Thankfully, Ladbrokes has put out some really solid odds for this one with Manchester United listed at 2.1 for the outright victory while the draw and a Spurs win are both available at a 3.4 margin.
I don’t anticipate an incredibly high-scoring fixture so I find that the 2-3 goals selection in the Goal Crazy market is well-priced at 1.9. I don’t see Rooney starting up front for this one. I think Fergie will try to get another senior player a run-out alongside Macheda or Wellbeck. I find that those two don’t perform well when they’re deployed as the front pairing and they need a more experienced player to orchestrate things for them. Welbeck plays well off Rooney and Berbatov and Macheda is more of a fox-in-the-box who tends to do better in cameo appearances. I think he has a great chance of developing into a complete player, but he was definitely exposed against Besiktas.
Ladbrokes are listing Wayne Rooney at 1.8 to score anytime while Dimitar Berbatov trades at 2.0. Michael Owen is listed at 2.2 while Danny Welbeck, Federico Macheda and Jermain Defoe are all trading at 2.75. Peter Crouch and Robbie Keane share a 3.25 margin while Roman Pavlyuchenko can be backed at 3.5.
I think that Spurs have a lot more to play for here and will likely deploy a more experienced side. I think picking up the Carling Cup would be a real feather in the cap of Harry Redknapp and would be a nice hedge if he fails to finish in 4th place in the Prem.
In the half-time/full-time market, I’m attracted to the Draw/Manchester United selection at 4.5. United are 3.6 to win both halves, but I find they generally need the first 45 to find their footing.
John O’Shea and Jonny Evans are considered doubtful for the match and Ferdinand and Hargreaves remain on the sidelines. I would, however, be willing to have a punt on two key things in this match- Michael Carrick to score and Gabriel Obertan to score. I’m very much impressed by Obertan’s skill and range of passing and I think that he works supremely well with Patrice Evra. The two Frenchman have an otherworldly interplay between them and they compliment each other so well. I think Obertan could get on the scoresheet this fixture and he’s due. He’s come close and I think he’ll find about three good chances in this match. I think he’s a good bet to finish one of them at 4.5 with Ladbrokes and 12.0 to score the last goal.
Carrick will be facing off against his old side and, with Hargreaves waiting for his return, he needs to start playing for his place.
I’m backing United to win, between 2-3 goals, with Carrick and Obertan to score.