Manchester City v Manchester United Betting Preview – 30.04.12

A look ahead to the Manchester derby title decider

Aguero (Manchester City)
Aguero (Manchester City) © GEPA pictures

Bookies will be bracing themselves for an influx of wager for the forthcoming Manchester City v Manchester United betting, which kicks off on Monday, April 30th.  The Manchester derby is now nicely set up as the title decider in the Premier League, with the Red Devils holding a three point lead over the Citizens. With just three matches left in the season, this is going to be the make or break moment for Roberto Mancini’s men at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City have a superior goal difference over United, and therefore, should they win next Monday, will take top spot in the league with two games to go. If City lose however, the title will be heading back to Old Trafford again. A draw would really do City no favours, as they would still then require United to have another slip up.

Where is the title going to end up? Here we take a look at some of the betting options already available for Manchester City v Manchester United betting.

This Season
The two sides met back on October 23rd, 2011 and no-one expected the result which happened. City went and raided, no, pummelled Old Trafford into submission, as the Citizens thumped the Red Devils 6-1. Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko both netted a brace, while David Silva and Sergio Aguero also chipped in. The game was 1-0 at half time, but United lost Jonny Evans with a red card. The two sides also met in the FA Cup, and after City lost Vincent Kompany to a red card, United ran out 3-2 winners, despite a strong fightback from ten man City. It probably is going to be a close affair and therefore worth looking at the Winning Margin market for Man City v Man Utd betting. Man City to win by 1 Goal is trading at 10/3 with Bet365.

Red Card
So, from two meetings this season, there has been two red cards, both having detrimental effects. Neither team can afford to see red in this latest instalment of the Manchester derby. You should be able to find a price at 7/4 at BetFair for there being a sending off on Monday though.

Form
The race looked over a couple of fixtures ago, when Manchester City lost away at Arsenal, and the body language of the players completely showed that they knew their title challenge was over. They were a downbeat lot after coming off the pitch having suffered a 1-0 loss at the Emirates, but that defeat has relaxed the Citizens and they have gotten back to their best since then. Since that defeat, City have rattled off three straight wins, crushing West Brom and Norwich, before seeing off a battling Wolves at Molineux on Sunday. So, twelve goals in three games, and having conceded just one, it clearly shows what a difference carrying around title expectations make. When the pressure was lifted, City came back to life.

Find the latest results, League Table, Top Scorer and more on our football statistics on online-betting.me.uk (just choose your country & your preferred topic)

Manchester United, in contrast have only won just one of their last three matches before heading to the Etihad Stadium. After putting in their worst display of the season when they lost away at Wigan, they followed it up with a 4-0 home thrashing of Aston Villa, but then came the drama of last Sunday. After 60 minutes of play, United held a 3-1 lead over Everton at Old Trafford, and then after 70 minutes were 4-2 up, and that is a situation from which you don’t concede points.But United did, they wobble, as Everton’s Jelavic and Pienaar struck with late goals to earn a 4-4 draw, and robbed United of two points. So is it United feeling the pressure? The saving grace here, is that they have scored eight goals in their last two games. They have also still kept six clean sheets in their last eight. They are wobbling, but haven’t fallen down yet.

Manchester City v Manchester United Outright Winner Odds
Man City 11/10, Man Utd 12/5, Draw 5/2 at Bet365

Key Men
Sergio Aguero has now netted five goals in his last three matches, and his partnership with Carlos Tevez is flourishing. Former United player Tevez will be the centre of attention maybe in the build up, but the finishing touches of Aguero is going to be key for City on the day. They need clinical finishing.

For United, it is all going to be about one man. That is Wayne Rooney, who is carrying the goalscoring can for them. With Hernandez not contributing much this season, Rooney just carries on scoring. Rooney has scored in the last six at Old Trafford, but hasn’t found the back of the net away from home in the last three. He is the biggest threat though, by far. First Goalscorer Betting: Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero and Wayne Rooney all 7/1 at Bet Victor.

The Run In
It is important to look at the Run In for each side after the Manchester derby, before getting all swept up in a possible Manchester City win. Even if they triumph in Manchester City v Manchester United betting, winning the title is no dead cert for them.

Man City remaining fixtures: After the Manchester derby, Roberto Mancini has to take his troops to the high-flying, in-form Newcastle United, which is not going to be an easy match at all, with the Magpies fighting for a top four finish. City then round out the season at home against relegation threatened QPR. While that home match against QPR should be three points, that tricky trip to Newcastle is a very tough call.

Man Utd remaining fixtures: United have the easier run in out of the two sides. After their visit to the Etihad Stadium, Sir Alex Ferguson faces a home match against Swansea, and then finish up with an away trip to Sunderland. You would expect the Red Devils to capitalise on the home game against Swansea, but Sunderland have the capacity to frustrate and shut teams out.

Premier League Title Winner Odds
Manchester United: 1/2 at Bet Victor
Manchester City: 7/4 at Bet365

Online bookmaker Bet356 offer a free £200 bet for new customers registering an account. The bookie will match the value of your first deposit on a new account, with a 100% bonus. This means that on your new Bet365 account, you can get £200 worth of free bets, as they match your initial deposit. Bet365 provide superb football betting coverage through their live in play services, and run their 0-0 Bore Draw Special on all listed matches. This Money Back Special pays out lost stake refunds on the Correct Score, Half Time/Full Time and Scorecast markets if the game ends in a 0-0 draw. Bet365 are presented as one of the most highly recommended online bookmakers available.