The Carabao Cup has long been known as a second-rate domestic cup competition. It has always played second fiddle to the FA Cup and is undoubtedly further down the list of priorities for England’s biggest football clubs, who understandably prioritise league success over a run in the tournament. Tonight, though, that all changes.
Cup competitions have a habit of throwing up huge fixtures between intense rivals – take Sunday’s clash between Liverpool and Everton in the FA Cup for example – and the Carabao Cup has done it again, this time pitting the two Manchester goliath’s together in a dual which is set to be a cracker at Old Trafford. This may just be the League Cup, but it is a derby before anything else with a trip to Wembley at the end of February the ultimate prize; it very suddenly means everything.
With such a big game on our hands, it would be a shame not to have a dabble on the action, wouldn’t it? We’ve picked out three key bets for this evening’s tie at Old Trafford, each of which could be worth having a punt on. Check them out below..
Half-time – Draw/Full-time – Man City
Tonight’s clash is expected to start off a cagey affair. Both sides will be looking to sound out the opposition and grasp the tempo of the match before unleashing their respective attacks. During December’s Manchester derby at the Etihad, the game started at a frantic pace which resulted in United going two goals in front within half an hour.
With this evening’s encounter being the first of two legs, though, there is much less urgency and more benefit in taking a more conservative approach initially. City will not want to concede and early goal like they did in the league before Christmas and United will be wary that if they leave themselves open, City’s destructive forward line will punish them. We’re anticipating things to be all square at the break, but feel as though the visitors will edge it in the second-half.
United have been poor in recent weeks, losing to Arsenal and then drawing with Wolves in the FA Cup, while City have now regained form, winning their previous three games. With this considered, we can’t look past them making it four in four against their fierce rivals tonight. The odds are favourable, too.
| Tuesday – 8.00pm | Odds | Bets |
|---|---|---|
| Man Utd v Man City Carabao Cup Semi-Final | ||
| Draw HT/Man City FT Best Bet | 7/2 |  |
Odds correct as of 2020-01-07 12:02:28
Both teams to score
A quick glance at the history book tells us that both sides will find an opening this evening. Indeed, four of the previous five matches between United and City have resulted in a BTTS scoreline and with both sides defensive frailties considered, it is hard to look past a repeat this evening. City have only managed one clean sheet in their last six matches (all comps) and have a clear issue at the back with the absence of Aymeric Laporte, and while United have kept more clean sheets than their neighbours in recent weeks, they are still far from assured in defence, especially against sides which possess an extremely quick forward-line.
With Sergio Aguero expected to start, goals seem imminent for the Cityzens. The Argentine has an exceptional record against United (9 goals in 12 apps) and will be keen to regain his goalscoring form after a spell on the sidelines. For the hosts, players like Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial – the two goalscorers in December’s clash at the Etihad – also carry an unquestionable threat in the final third and will be desperate to add to their tally’s for the season. With all this in mind, we’re tipping both teams to score.
| Tuesday – 8.00pm | Odds | Bets |
|---|---|---|
| Man Utd v Man City Carabao Cup Semi-Final | ||
| Both teams to score Best Bet | 8/11 |  |
Odds correct as of 2020-01-07 12:26:53
Correct score: 2-1 City
As previously mentioned, we’re predicting tonight’s fixture to be an extremely tight affair which will come to life in the second-half. A 0-0 draw at half-time wouldn’t be all too surprising but after the break both sides will have to go for it a little, especially United who will want to make the most of their home advantage before the second-leg at the end of the month.
With so much attacking talent on display there will surely be goals (right?) and with a 2-1 scoreline cropping up three times in the last four years when these two sides have met, it makes us think that we could possibly see a repeat tonight. Tonight’s fixture should be close, but with the form book considered we think that City will edge it, just.
| Tuesday – 8.00pm | Odds | Bets |
|---|---|---|
| Man Utd v Man City Carabao Cup Semi-Final | ||
| Correct score: 2-1 Man City Best Bet | 15/2 |  |
Odds correct as of 2020-01-07 12:27:43