Bitter cross-town rivals in Manchester derby

Manchester United’s 2007-08 season was a rousing success by any standard, winning the Barclay’s Premier League title and Champions League Cup. The blemish – so miniscule really, only a sports bettor with a keen eye for the smallest of details would notice– on their resume last season was the head-to-head sweep by their bitter cross-town rivals, Manchester City. Don’t worry if you missed it – thousands would; however, you can bet the heartbreaking losses are not forgotten by Sir Fergusson’s men and the emotions should be high as both clubs clash in the latest instalment of the Manchester derby.

Soccer Betting Line:

Manchester City +½ -105 +350 2½ O -130 U +110 Draw +230

Manchester United -½ -115 -115 2½ O -130 U +110 Draw +230

Match Time: 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time Sunday November 30, 2008

Soccer Betting Analysis:

Manchester City +350: Manchester City enters the derby on the back of a big 3:0 victory in Premiership over Arsenal and a huge scalp in UEFA Cup action against Schalke on the away, which assured them progress to the knockout round. In spite of the boon in form, they are still outside of the top ten Premiership oasis. Mark Hughes boys, boasting Brazilian forward Robinho, have to be happy they are (finally) playing better and if they hope for a better and brighter future in Premiership, they need to continue their excellence against the mostly superior United squad.

Good news for City comes in the return of Robinho – who missed the win over Schalke with an ankle injury – and Zabaletta.

Manchester United -115: As for Manchester United, they have struggled somewhat on their travels this term in Premiership – United only won at Portsmouth and Blackburn this term – but they have not suffered too badly for it in the sports betting marketplace. Many of their fixtures came on the heels of international duty –Champions League – and sports pundits are not wont to handicap against them even though the schedule is clearly handicapped thus.

Great news for Man U is the return of one of the club’s top scorers in Dmitar Berbatov after an injury sidelined him for several weeks.

Soccer Betting Verdict: City are desperate for the three points to start climbing the Premiership table. They are coming up against a United that was held to two goalless draws – against Aston Villa and Villarreal – and almost just as desperate for the win to maintain pressure on top of the table Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC. They are eight points behind the top of the table duo, with a game in hand though, and they cannot afford to slip further behind in points.

The Manchester derby is always an interesting sports betting affair. City completed the double last season so United will be inspired to seek redemption. Both clubs have something to prove and they will be itching to do so with the full-force of their respective attacking potentials. So this match is not looking like it will end in a draw (+230) Determining the winner is tough. They share the same city – though not the same stadium – so technically home edge is nullified for City (+350) and as United (-115) makes the short trek across town, their poor away record should not apply either. In terms of value on betting on an outright win, United’s odds are hardly worth mentioning so a small stake on City would make sense. In the end, the match has all the trappings for an over 2.5 goals -130 bet.

Soccer Free Picks: City +350 | Over 2.5 goals -130

Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room