Cristiano Ronaldo seems primed for centre stage at the Etihad, win, lose or draw.
Manchester City are an eyecatchingly thin 2/5 for the WIN (4.30pm) - the sort of price that looks as much about cutting the nation’s accas down to size as anything else.
There’s certainly nothing in the recent record of Manchester derbies to back it up. In the last dozen, City are W6 D1 L5 and the away side has won NINE times.
For all their flaws United have still only lost once (90mins) since mid-November.
Put hype aside, the solid data punt among the short-price types is NO ‘both teams to score’ at Evens (Fred, Paddy).
Hardly a thriller, but there is a bookings angle that could give us some jollies. Back Ronaldo to ‘be shown a card’ at 4/1 (Bet365) – it’s bob-on for his overall stats, plus he’s been booked in three of five Big Six matches so far, including the reverse fixture.
Same ref today. Dare we hope Michael Oliver will find a reason to dish out a red for his seventh game in 32 this season? We do dare!
Step forward Scott McTominay ‘to be sent off’ at 40/1 (Skybet, Hills), if he starts. Frankly, the lad’s been asking for it lately.
Two counter-attacking sides at Watford (2pm) for Sunday service, and may the good Lord lead us not into the temptation of backing Arsenal at odds-on away.
Roy Hodgson was plotting defences back when the good Lord was still in short trousers. This Gunners visit is right up the old owl’s alley.
Punt ‘NO match goal before 30:00’ at 5/6 (Bet365) – you’d have collected in five of the Hornets’ six games so far under Hodgson.
After their cupset at Middlesbrough, Tottenham are finally ‘free to focus on the league’ which somehow manages to have a slightly sinister ring to it.
Spurs still have several games in hand, and you can’t lose what you haven’t played, so they are in pretty decent shape to welcome Everton (tomorrow, 8pm). Unless they’re not.
The reverse 0-0 was the first Prem game in charge for Antonio Conte. Another tight one looks favourite. NO ‘both teams to score’ looks right at 21/20 (BetVic).
Over in Italy, back the DRAW at 12/5 when Milan go to Napoli (Sunday, 7.45pm) - it looks like a classic don’t-lose fixture in a very squeaky Serie A title race.
Last week: Winners at 23/10, 4/1 & 16/1.
