Manchester Utd v Manchester City Betting Tips: Which side will meet Spurs in the Carabao Cup final?
Published:
Latest odds and preview for Carabao Cup semi-final
Repeating last year’s Carabao Cup semi-final clash, we’re set for a Manchester Derby tonight – although this time the fixture will be played over just one leg.
The winners will go on to meet Tottenham in the final in April, after their 2-0 victory over Brentford sealed their place at Wembley.
Pep Guardiola’s side are looking to add a fourth consecutive League Cup to their trophy cabinet, while for Man Utd tonight’s game represents a chance to prove that they belong back among the country’s elite.
Despite their home advantage, Man Utd are the 5/2 outsiders to win in 90 minutes, with Man City firm favourites at 21/20. It’s 13/5 that both sides are even after 90 minutes.
Man Utd have had a slight edge over their rivals since last season’s semi-final, with a win and draw in their two meetings. We make it 9/2 that Man Utd win with Both Teams to Score, while a City win and Both Teams to Score is at 5/2.
Midfielder Bruno Fernandes remains Utd’s top-scorer this season, with four goals in his last five games for the club. He’s 5/1 to open the scoring tonight, or 15/8 to score anytime.
For City, the goals have been spread out in recent weeks but Sergio Aguero could make his way into the starting line-up after a brief cameo against Chelsea – he’s 7/5 to find the net anytime tonight.
In last season’s two-legged meeting, Man City ran out 3-2 winners on aggregate, with both sides claiming victory in their away leg. Man City then went on to win the cup for the third consecutive time. The last team who aren’t Man City to have won the trophy? Man Utd in 2017.
Both teams will be looking at the Carabao Cup as a potential source of silverware. And both will be desperate to get one over their rivals and keep their positive momentum going into the second half of the season.
After a shaky start, Man Utd are second in the league and on a seven-game unbeaten streak, with goal difference alone keeping them below Liverpool. Under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, they’ve become a team who tend to go on strong runs, followed by underwhelming ones. The moment the manager’s job seems to be under real threat, the team rally and start to perform.
Man City have been inconsistent this term, but finally seem to have turned a corner, with four wins in a row in all competitions. If the likes of Aguero and Gabriel Jesus can put their injury woes behind them and start scoring, they could provide a focal point for the team as they look to return to their imperious best.
It should go without saying that for teams of this stature, the Carabao Cup is not among their top priorities for this season. Man City are still searching for that elusive Champions League win, while Man Utd find themselves serious contenders in a title race – arguably for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure (their second placed finish in the 17/18 season is caveated by a 19 point gap to title-winners Man City).
Nonetheless, with silverware just two games away and a Tottenham team who are prone to falling at the last, both will fancy their chances if they’re able to progress tonight. A win here could set them up for further success this season, along with the morale boost that comes from beating their city rivals.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.
