Manchester United vs Manchester City
All roads lead to Old Trafford for the big EFL Cup action this week, when Manchester United entertain Manchester City in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
The EFL Cup 2021 betting odds pitch the Sky Blues as favourites to win the first silverware of the league season, at odds of 2.15, while the Red Devils are at 3.97. Spurs, who face Brentford on Tuesday, are at 2.85 and the Championship club is at 19.00.
A few weeks ago the Red Devils’ fans may have looked at this clash with more than a little apprehension, but the swagger has begun to return to Manchester United after a seven-match unbeaten run, in all competitions, has seen them make the last four of this tournament and reach the summit of the Premier League.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team is ready to go toe to toe with the neighbours who have overshadowed them for much of the last decade.
Talking Points
Reds beginning to look United behind Ole
The Red Devils passed a tough test against Aston Villa, last weekend, beating the Villains 2-1 to draw level with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League. Even want-away midfielder Paul Pogba put in a good shift as Anthony Martial and Bruno Fernandes scored to claim three valuable points.
Since crashing out of the Champions League, beaten by PSG and Red Bull Leipzig, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team has gone seven matches unbeaten in all competitions. But if Manchester United are to become genuine title contenders again they need to be able to do exactly what the Red Devils under Sir Alex Ferguson used to do…stay unbeaten for the next seven.
If Manchester United can become relentless, then they might be able to stop the English game being dominated by their two biggest rivals, Liverpool and Manchester City. But they need players other than the outstanding Fernandes to stand up more regularly. All eyes will be on Pogba again on Wednesday. If he puts in another strong performance then the tide surely has turned for OGS.
Are City also finding their Mojo?
While the red half of Manchester has taken some big strides in recent weeks, the Sky Blues have been flying a little under the radar, beset by COVID 19 problems off the pitch while being slightly below par on it. But in an explosive first 45 minutes against Chelsea on Sunday City were back to their irresistible best, playing the fast-flowing and incisive football for which they have become renowned, and which tore the Blues’ defence to shreds. They went in at halftime with a three-goal lead and it could have been significantly more.
But the recent 0-0 draw with Manchester United in the League was once of the most boring 90 minutes of football in the current season. Solskjaer was pleased, saying it was the best performance his side had put in for a derby during his tenure. But City were ponderous throughout, seemingly concerned by United’s counter-attacking threat as they only registered nine shots throughout the game and a meagre two on target.
They followed that up with a draw with struggling West Brom and then unconvincing wins over Southampton and Newcastle, but the victory over Chelsea was exactly what Pep Guardiola has been looking for.
Kevin de Bruyne continues to pull the strings for City but Phil Foden too was mightily impressive against Chelsea.
History
The Red Devils have won 29 to City’s 18 in the Premier League era and are unbeaten in three against the Sky Blues in all competitions, keeping three consecutive cleans sheets in Manchester Derbies for the first time since a run of four, back in 1995.
United are unbeaten in seven but, despite failing to fire on all cylinders, Manchester City are unbeaten in 11 and six away from home.
Betting Tip
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Manchester United vs Manchester City | Total Goals 2-3 @ 1.88 |
| January 07, 03:45 (GMT+8) |
This is a really tough game to call. Manchester City have the edge at odds of 2.02 to win in 90 minutes, while United are at 3.26 to win with the draw at 3.30.
Here at SBOTOP the Sky Blues are at 1.56 to progress to the final with Manchester United at 2.47, and we may have to go longer than the 90 to get a result.
And, of course, we’ll be back on Wednesday night (UK time) with all the EFL Cup 2021 highlights live from Old Trafford, to see which side wins the Manchester bragging rights.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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