It’s time for our Bookmaker Ratings battle for the week, with our focus drawn towards Sunday’s Manchester Derby.
Manchester United will look to save face following their disappointing Europa League exit at the hands of rivals Liverpool in midweek, while Manchester City hope to inflict further damage on their adversaries at the Etihad Stadium, improving their now slim title chances in the process.
This week I’m up against BeIN Sports Correspondent and WhoScored’s weekly tipster Tancredi Palmeri, with a point awarded for each correct tip. WhoScored moved into a 3-0 lead last week after correctly predicting there would be under 0.5 goals in the first half of United’s 1-1 FA Cup draw with West Ham and I’m understandably keen to move further ahead!
Tancredi’s Tips - read more
The best home attack for City welcomes the seventh worst away defence for United - it’s more or less a guarantee that City will score. The poor state of both defences can boost the scoresheet, especially in the second half, when the focus can drop. You can play it safe with both teams at score at 1.91, but keep an eye on over 2.5 goals in second half at 4.50, which has happened in each of City’s last three home league games!
WhoScored’s Say
Odds on there being three or more goals scored in the second half of the Manchester Derby are certainly tempting given the poor state of either side’s defence, but City’s current goalscoring woes are cause for concern. Blanks against Norwich and Dynamo Kyiv was the first time City have failed to score in back-to-back competitive games this season, while only one of the last four meetings between the two Manchester sides has seen over 2.5 goals in the second half.
WhoScored’s Tips - detailed match preview
As mentioned, the odds on over 2.5 goals in the second half are tempting. City’s defence has been ravaged by injury once more, with captain Vincent Kompany sustaining another calf injury in the dire 0-0 draw with Kyiv on Tuesday night. Without their defensive lynchpin, City are vulnerable at the back. Of the 31 goals City have conceded in the Premier League this season, 25 have come when Kompany has missed out, with the backline struggling in his absence.
United may have scored just 18 goals in 15 away league games this season, but have failed to score in just four of those 15 matches. Without Kompany, goals are easy to come by against City and United in their attempts to salvage their season should pose a threat in the final third. However, they’re not expected to come away as victors in this one, though odds of 4.0 and City to win and both teams to score are very tempting with the Citizens favourites to secure the victory.
However, if you’re against backing City to win given their lacklustre form of late, and willing to play a safer bet, there’s good money to be had on Sergio Aguero scoring anytime at 2.05. The Argentine has 16 goals in 22 Premier League appearances this season, 12 of which have come at the Etihad Stadium. Aguero has often found good form against United and having scored eight goals in eight competitive appearances; odds on the 27-year-old to score anytime are tough to overlook.
Whose tips will you be taking in this massive match on Sunday? Let us know in the comments below
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