English Premier
2012-12-09 - Manchester City vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : England : Premier League
Sunday 9th December - Kickoff 1:30pm
Manchester City
Manchester City drew with their "bogey" team Everton last weekend in a 1-1 draw. The draw means they sit in second place with 33 points and trail leaders Manchester United by 3 points so a win will put them top.
Mancini's side come into this huge derby as the only unbeaten side in the league. The team lost the lead at the top because of 2 draws in the last 3 and they really need a win to restore parity at the top.
At home Manchester City are a very strong and haven't lost year for some 2 years. 6 wins from 8 this season is very good with Arsenal and Everton the only sides to hold them, both in 1-1 draws.
Much has been made of the poor City defence but 3 clean sheets in the last 5 home games is a decent improvement for them. As expected the side has scored in every home game this season and averages just under 2.50 goals a time here.
Manchester United
Manchester United won again last weekend this time at Reading (3-4) to sit at the top of the tree ahead of this massive game on Sunday. With an inferior goal difference, a loss will see City go top and I'm not sure if they will play to win or not to lose in this game.
Ferguson's side have won 3 in a row since losing at Norwich (0-1) and it's 8 wins in the last 9 as the team has built up a lot of momentum. Interestingly there's been no draws this season in a United league game but I think they would definitely take a draw in this one.
Away from home it is 6 wins from 8 with Everton (1-0) and Norwich the only sides to defeat them. United have won at Liverpool (1-2), Newcastle (0-3) and Chelsea (2-3) already this season and won't fear this game having won 2 of the last 3 meetings at the Etihad.
5 of the last 7 away games have had both sides scoring and United just don't keep away clean sheets. None in 4 and just 1 in 9 this season as they have conceded 8 in the last 4 away from home.
Betting Verdict
The bookies have priced Manchester City as favourites for this game but I don't see either side having an edge. City are excellent at home and don't lose here but Manchester United have won at some tough grounds already this season. United also have a good record here in this game and an away win wouldn't be that big a shock to me.
Interestingly the last 6 here at City have ended in under 2.50 goals and in all 6 both sides haven't scored. That's some stat and these 2 seem to always be involved in tight games, however both sides should have some success going forward here.
We have seen how poor United are defensively this season and I'm backing the hosts to score 2 or more. City has scored 2 or more in 5 of their 8 home games this season whilst United has conceded 2 or more in 3 of the last 4 away.
The head to head says unders but individual stats say overs easily and I prefer current stats to historic. City needs to win this given the gap so we should see an attacking performance from them. As a result I see them notching 2 and that's enough for a win over their rivals.
Good Luck
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Manchester City Over 1.50 Goals at 2.20 at Ladbrokes
