We've already been treated to three exciting Manchester derbies this year, the dramatic and controversial 4-3 win for Man United at Old Trafford back in September as well as the two Carling Cup ties.
There's no doubt about it going into this game Man City are the form team and have managed to rack up 14 goals in their last 3 legaue games. They currentley lie in 4th but are still only one point clear of Tottenham in 5th. Man United on the other hand have gone through a couple of torrid weeks, knocked out off the Champions Legaue by Bayern Munich. Whilst losing to Chelsea and drawing at Blackburn has put a huge dent in their title challenge. They need to win this game to remain in the title challenge, anything less than a win and you've got to think Chelsea will have all but won the league.
The previous three games this season have brought plenty of goals, 14 goals in the 3 games to be exact. Man United were lackluster infront of goal against Blackburn whilst the same can't be said for Man City who seem to be scoring goals for fun at the minute. At the time of writing it's unknown whether Rooney will be fit to play, but unless there's major doubts about his fitness I reckon he will play and you've got to feel Man United's goal threat will be much greater as a result.
Very much similiar to the Spurs v Arsenal game on Wednesday, both teams need the points for different reasons. Especially if Man City score first I can the game becoming very open, I don't think City's defense is good enough to keep out United in this game and City have got a potent strikeforce at the moment and it will be difficult for United to shut them out. I'm going to have half stakes on Over2.5 goals and Carlos Tevez Anytimer Goalscorer. Tevez is in terrific goalscoring form and will look to come to back haunt his old club once again.
Tips:
Over 2.5 goals @ 1.80 (Bet365)
Anytime Goalscorer: Carlos Tevez @ 2.50 (StanJames)
Over 2.5 goals @ 1.80 (Bet365)
Anytime Goalscorer: Carlos Tevez @ 2.50 (StanJames)
Birmingham v Hull City
Birmingham were below par in their last game against Man City but it's easy to forgot that this was a team that was suppose to be fighting down the near bottom of the league come May. But they've had a terrific season and find themselves 9th and will want to try and ensure a top-half finish by finishing off the season well. Birmingham's home form has been superb (7-8-2) and it would read better if you start from October (they are actually 13 home games unbeaten). Yes you may think 8 games is a lot to draw but if you look at the draws they are against the top teams in the league, draws against the likes of Chelsea, Man United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton show they've been very resilient at home and proved hard to beat. Birmingham don't tend to be a team who win games by big margains but they'll never get a better chance than against relegation-bound Hull City.
Hull had a golden chance to get some points on the board at home to Burnley last time out but their defense let them down once again and they conceded two penalties which turned the game and saw Burnley come away victors. Their away record reads (0-4-13) which is pretty shocking by any standards. I know there's the Hull will be fighting for the points more mentality to consider as Birmingham don't have much to play for in the safety of mid-table. But I feel the current prices are an over-reaction to this, Wigan couldn't manage a win against already relegated Portsmouth midweek and if you remember the last game of last season everyone thought Hull were going to beat a Man United reserve side, but they didn't. Think the odds are too big at 1.80 for a Birmingham win, who have made St Andrews a very difficult place for visiting teams to visit this season.
Birmingham were below par in their last game against Man City but it's easy to forgot that this was a team that was suppose to be fighting down the near bottom of the league come May. But they've had a terrific season and find themselves 9th and will want to try and ensure a top-half finish by finishing off the season well. Birmingham's home form has been superb (7-8-2) and it would read better if you start from October (they are actually 13 home games unbeaten). Yes you may think 8 games is a lot to draw but if you look at the draws they are against the top teams in the league, draws against the likes of Chelsea, Man United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton show they've been very resilient at home and proved hard to beat. Birmingham don't tend to be a team who win games by big margains but they'll never get a better chance than against relegation-bound Hull City.
Hull had a golden chance to get some points on the board at home to Burnley last time out but their defense let them down once again and they conceded two penalties which turned the game and saw Burnley come away victors. Their away record reads (0-4-13) which is pretty shocking by any standards. I know there's the Hull will be fighting for the points more mentality to consider as Birmingham don't have much to play for in the safety of mid-table. But I feel the current prices are an over-reaction to this, Wigan couldn't manage a win against already relegated Portsmouth midweek and if you remember the last game of last season everyone thought Hull were going to beat a Man United reserve side, but they didn't. Think the odds are too big at 1.80 for a Birmingham win, who have made St Andrews a very difficult place for visiting teams to visit this season.
Tip:
Birmingham @ 1.80 (Various)
Birmingham @ 1.80 (Various)
Sunderland v Burnley
Sunderland have improved greatly over the last few games and now find themselves safe from relegation. They have got good options going forward and they should be able to exploit a Burnley defense that has conceded 48 goals away from home, more than any other club.
Burnley got their first away win of the season at Hull last weekend although they still have got a lot to do if they want to avoid the drop. They've surely got to go into this game with an attacking attitude and look to win the game. Therefore i'm opting for overs in this as I expect it be an open game and can see it being high-scoring.
Burnley got their first away win of the season at Hull last weekend although they still have got a lot to do if they want to avoid the drop. They've surely got to go into this game with an attacking attitude and look to win the game. Therefore i'm opting for overs in this as I expect it be an open game and can see it being high-scoring.
Tip:
Over 2.5 goals @ 1.91 (WilliamHill)
Over 2.5 goals @ 1.91 (WilliamHill)
Tottenham v Chelsea
Chelsea weren't exactly impressive against Bolton but they still managed to grind out a victory. Tottenham on the other hand put in a terrific performance against Arsenal on the back of the shock FA Cup exit. I suspect the amount of work Spurs put in that game may work against them in this game, they started to tire towards the end of the Arsenal game and if it wasn't for Gomes pulling off a string of saves they could have easily let the three points slip.
Chelsea will offer a different threat to Arsenal. Chelsea are much more direct whilst they can still get the ball down and play they don't hesitate to knock it long to Drogba, who will surely cause the Spurs defense more problems than Bendtner managed midweek.
Chelsea know a win here will be a huge step towards them lifting the title and think they'll come out on top here against a tired Tottenham side.
Chelsea weren't exactly impressive against Bolton but they still managed to grind out a victory. Tottenham on the other hand put in a terrific performance against Arsenal on the back of the shock FA Cup exit. I suspect the amount of work Spurs put in that game may work against them in this game, they started to tire towards the end of the Arsenal game and if it wasn't for Gomes pulling off a string of saves they could have easily let the three points slip.
Chelsea will offer a different threat to Arsenal. Chelsea are much more direct whilst they can still get the ball down and play they don't hesitate to knock it long to Drogba, who will surely cause the Spurs defense more problems than Bendtner managed midweek.
Chelsea know a win here will be a huge step towards them lifting the title and think they'll come out on top here against a tired Tottenham side.
Tip:
Chelsea (-0.5) @ 1.98 (Bet365)
Chelsea (-0.5) @ 1.98 (Bet365)
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