Carling Cup Final betting

Free betting tips for Man Utd vs Aston Villa

Wembley plays host to the 50th Carling Cup final on Sunday as holders Manchester United aim to retain the trophy they won on penalties last year. Tottenham Hotspur were beaten 4-1 on spot kicks by United after 120 goalless minutes in the 2009 final, and now only Martin O’Neill’s Villa stand in the way of United lifting a fourth league cup. Sir Alex’s men have failed to beat the Villains in their two Premier League meetings this term but Bet365 make England’s most decorated club odds on favourites to add to their list of trophies. The Red Devils are best priced at 4/5, Villa are a generous 7/2 having already beaten United at Old Trafford this season, and if extra time is forced then the draw can be found at 12/5 with the same bookmakers.

The pair have met 173 times before in all competitions, with United winning just over half of all those meetings. However, Martin O’Neill’s Villa proved they are no pushovers when they returned 1-0 victors from Old Trafford in December after Gabby Agbonlahor’s solitary strike. The pair met in a dress rehearsal at Villa Park earlier this month but neither side could force a winner with scores level at 1-1, and both teams had to settle for a share of the spoils. O’Neill’s side currently lie 7th in the Premier League just one point behind Spurs in the race for the fourth Champions League spot but O’Neill’s attention will turn away from domestic matters when they make the 228 mile round trip to the capital.

The Midlands club could be about to book another visit to Wembley after progressing to the quarter finals of the FA Cup at the expense of cash strapped Crystal Palace in midweek. But in Sundays BBC One live final, O’Neill will be hoping for a repeat of the 1996 League Cup final when Brian Little’s Villa side defeated Leeds United 3-0. In fact, the Villains boast a better record in the League Cup than Manchester United, they have beaten their rivals no fewer than 4 times in the 6 ties they have been drawn together.

It’s difficult mention Manchester United without mentioning Wayne Rooney in the same breath of late. The England striker is in the form of his career and with the World Cup finals approaching, he arguably holds the key to our chances in South Africa. The former Everton star bagged another brace against West Ham in midweek taking his tally to 27 in all competitions this season. Rooney’s double helped United move to within one point of leaders Chelsea in the title race and he looks a sound bet to hit the net on Sunday. He is priced at 4/1 with Hills to score the opener in the final but perhaps the 6/1 being flouted for Rooney to score with his head represents better value considering the strikers last four goals have all been headers. Astonishingly, he is odds on with Bet365 at 10/11 to score at anytime during the match.

Sir Alex must have had half an eye on Sunday’s final after resting some of his senior figures the West Ham game in midweek, but he will be without Rio Ferdinand who has a back problem. Ferdinand has started just 8 games this term, and United have already conceded 24 goals, the same amount they conceded in the whole of the last campaign. Villa’s Carlos Cuellar and Gabby Agbonlahor have already breached the United backline, and the latter is 8/1 to trouble the scoresheet first on Sunday. Surprisingly, Manchester United have benefited from own goals a massive ten times already this season including three in one game against Portsmouth at Old Trafford earlier this year, so why not put a small stake on an own goal to be scored at anytime during the final at 11/4.

Manchester United are 12/1 to do it the hard way and win the Carling Cup on penalties as they did last year. Phil Dowd will be the man in charge and he has a little history with Manchester United. The Staffordshire referee sent off United pair Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney at Craven Cottage last season and 11/4 says he reaches for his top pocket again on Sunday. Expect Villa to take the game to United in this final, the first goal is all important if Villa can grab it they have a great chance. They showed at Old Trafford this season they can hold onto 1-0 leads and keep the United firing line at bay. They will be boosted by the news of Rio Ferdinand’s absence and John Carew’s aerial presence could cause problems. However, Villa must hope Wayne Rooney has an off day if they are going to win this one. He is in tantalising form and if he’s on song United generally are too. Sticking my neck on the line, United to win it by the odd goal but this one is by no means a forgone conclusion.

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