Premier League betting – Man City vs Man Utd

Man City vs Man Utd betting preview

Man City: League Position: 4th, League Form: WWLLW

City, after a glorious victory over Champions Chelsea, were heralded as title hopefuls. They then lost momentum with a home defeat to Arsenal, before losing away at struggling Wolves. This Sunday’s victory over West Brom was tainted with disappointment after two goal hero Balotelli proceeded to get sent off and most likely miss this vital clash.

With the early sending off against Arsenal, City will feel that their victory over Chelsea is a true barometer or their ability against the big teams. Beating rivals United at home would bring them level on points with their opposition. They’ve lost the last two of these fixtures by a single goal, and a serious title challenge is difficult to mount if they lose another home tie against another of their main competitors.  

Mancini’s naturally defensive tactics will stifle the opposition, and, as per usual, much will depend on Tevez’s ability to find goals.

Man Utd: League Position: 2nd, League Form: DDWWW

Ferguson’s side seem to have recovered their knack of grinding out wins when their performance lets them down. Mick McCarthy can be forgiven for being frustrated after a vital point was stolen late on by Park Ji-Sung’s second goal on Saturday.

United are still unbeaten in the league (and all competitions this season) and seem to have come to life since the Rooney saga. Whilst Berbatov’s early season form has wilted, Hernandez has exploded onto the scene and shown signs of being the next bright star of Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign.

They have, however, drawn four of five away fixtures, letting in two goals at both Bolton and Fulham and three at Everton.

Saturday’s match was blighted by illness to Scholes, Evra and Vidic, and although all three played they can be expected to look sharper midweek. It’s now down to Sir Alex to decide on what system and approach his team takes, with players like Obertan and Bebe maybe too inexperienced for such a game, but possibly necessary if they’re to play a five man midfield.

Match Prediction: Draw – Best odds 3.3 with Bet365.

In what is a really hard match to call, the best value is available on the draw. Although it’s difficult to ignore Manchester at 2.88, both teams are likely to set out to stop the other team scoring.

Tevez and Hernandez are both able to sniff out little chances, but the centres of each midfield are going to be neat and solid, it’s unlikely either manager will throw in a surprise adventurous move. Which is a shame, each bench is likely to have a couple of exciting players just keeping warm. City may have the better options, but each member of United’s defence, especially Vidic and Ferdinand, would replace their opposite number.

An early goal either way will open this game up, and it has the potential to be the best match of the season. If Tevez is fully fit he’ll put even more into this match than a usual fixture, and City will need him if they’re to get anything from this game.

Neither side leaks goals, but United have only kept one away clean sheet this year, whilst City have only one clean sheet in their past five games.

Highlighted Bets:-

Over/Under: Under 2.5 Goals – 1.83 SkyBet
First Goalscorer: Carlos Tevez – 6.00 SkyBet, Coral, WilliamHill
Correct Score: 1-1 Draw – 6.5 – Coral, Ladbrokes, SkyBet, WilliamHill, VictorChandler

Match Odds:-

Manchester City – 2.7 Best odds: Paddy Power
Draw – 3.3 Best odds: Bet365
Manchester United – 2.88 Best odds: Victor Chandler

By Chris Wilkerson

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