Weekend Tips: Manchester derby in the spotlight

The Manchester derby is once again upon us. Recent history has the away team coming away as the victors, but do the bookies see it that way? We've also got the tips for Premier League and Euro action.

As far as big derbies go, Manchester City v Manchester United has been one of the most unpredictable in European football in recent seasons.

For years, Manchester United fans were used to their side dominating domestically, but the Red Devils have been starved of success in recent times. In fact, the last trophy they won was the Europa League in 2017. And while Manchester City have been piling up the silverware in recent seasons and are seen as the best side in England right now, Manchester United are actually looking to win their fourth consecutive match at the Etihad this weekend.

Manchester United are chalked up at 8/1 for the win but will need to find their clinical edge to stand any chance. Their shot count stats have been quite silly in their last couple of games, but they have not scored many goals during that period and are failing to put teams away.

Ralf Rangnick is gearing up for his first meeting with Pep Guardiola in the Premier League, and it’s obvious the Citizens will boss possession this Sunday with United playing on the counter. With so much at stake – the visitors are looking to validate their European credentials whilst City will be hoping to extend their lead at the top over Liverpool – don’t be surprised if this is a match that fails to deliver in terms of entertainment and with this in mind ‘Unders’ could be the way to bet.  

 

The Nap – Under 2.5 goals at 11/8 (bet365/Bet Victor)

 

Four defeats in their last six, including back-to-back losses in their last two against Arsenal and West Ham (who are big rivals in the hunt for European football) have hurt Wolverhampton Wanderers, who will be trying to get back on track this weekend by beating Crystal Palace.

The Eagles themselves are looking to make it three wins in a row against Wolves, and if you fancy Patrick Vieira’s men you can get a top price 5/2 about them winning at Molineux. Palace went through a bit of a bad patch recently but are firing again and have been excellent for much of this season, and Vieira is proving to be an inspired appointment. The Frenchman headed the market back in August to be the First Premier League Manager to leave their post, but they are going nicely in the league and still involved in the FA Cup.

It’s not all doom and gloom for Wolves fans either. Indeed, Wolves have scored a league-high 25 per cent of their Premier League goals from outside the box so far this season (6 of their 24 total goals for all you maths geeks). Similarly, Crystal Palace have conceded more goals from distance than any other side this term (9). With this in mind, it could be worth having a look at the various ‘Bet Builder’ markets the bookies now love to price up to see what is out their odds wise about a goal from outside the area. There is a decent 7/1 double on offer with Hills that there is a headed goal in this match along with one from outside the box.

 

Value Tip – Header Scored and Goal from Outside the Penalty Area at 7/1 (Hills)

 

The prodigiously talented Vinicius Junior has scored 16 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid this season and looks a value punt at 5/1 to score first against Real Sociedad this weekend.  He scored when the teams met on December 4 at the Reale Arena, when Los Blancos ran out deserving 2-0 winners.

A skilful attacker blessed with blistering speed, the Brazilian is able to go past players and has an eye for goal. He’s not the finished article by any means but at just 21 he’s already one of the first names on the Real Madrid team sheet these days and his pace could really unhinge a Real Sociedad defence that has been leaking goals in recent weeks.  As always, the brilliant Karim Benzema is a warm order in the ‘first goal scorer’ betting but 5/1 about Vinicius Junior notching first at the Bernabeu Stadium looks a little big.

 

First Goal Flutter – Vinicius Junior to score first at 5/1 (Unibet)

 

This Sunday sees one of the pivotal games in the Scudetto race as Napoli host AC Milan. The pair are joint top of the Serie A pile as things stand having both claimed 57 points from 27 matches.

The Rossoneri have drawn their last three matches and are 13/5 outsiders to win in Naples. This despite the fact that Napoli have failed to keep a single clean sheet in any of their last five matches. Indeed, their last shutout was a 2-0 success at Venezia on February 6.

Crucially though Napoli have had no issues scoring goals in recent weeks and have not lost in the league since December 22.

In the reverse fixture earlier this season, Napoli beat Milan 1-0 and they look a fair price on home soil at 23/20 to do the double over their more illustrious rivals and make a real statement in the title race. It will take some of their star names to step up but Dries Mertens has been outstanding for the Partenopei this season and the home win looks a tempting bet here at odds against.    

 

The Euro Banker – Napoli to beat AC Milan at 23/20 (bet365/Coral)