It's a Manchester derby in the Carabao Cup semi-final with United welcoming City. Tom Carnduff picks out three best bets.
Football betting tips: Wednesday's Carabao Cup semi-final
1pt Phil Foden to assist a goal at 5/1
1pt Kevin De Bruyne to score anytime at 23/10
1pt Manchester United to qualify at 8/5
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Manchester United v Manchester City
- 19:45 GMT on Sky Sports Main Event
- Match odds: Home 13/5 | Draw 13/5 | Away 19/20
For the second season in a row, we are treated to a Manchester derby at the semi-final stage of the Carabao Cup but this time it's a one-off special. United welcome City with both teams aiming for Wembley, and the latter looking to continue their recent dominance of this competition.
City put in their best attacking performance in some time as they comfortably beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. The scoreline was kind to the hosts, City should have easily had a few more on top of that. In an odd way, their best attacking showing came without a striker in place, and with City's recent form against United, it may be wise to adopt a similar approach here.
Kevin De Bruyne led the line in superb fashion last time out and he's the subject of the first best bet in this game. Sergio Aguero is looking for a return to the starting line-up following his most recent injury but it may be worth keeping him sidelined for a few more days at least with the FA Cup at the weekend.
The false nine formation has proven to be an effective one for City when they want it to be. De Bruyne's odds of 23/10 are just too big if he is in a similar position to Sunday, he scored in that game and when he played as a centre forward in a 4-4-2 formation away at Real Madrid in the Champions League last season.
Even if he is in a more traditional midfield role, he has shown he can strike from various situations. There were 16 goals across all competitions last season and he's averaging a goal every four games for City. That is a great return considering the amount of assists he also contributes.
The 23/10 is worth taking because of the potential for him to be up front or in a false nine position again. Even if De Bruyne does get on the scoresheet, that doesn't necessarily mean that City will win. In fact, recent history has shown they have struggled against their local rivals and United are worth backing on price alone.
The hosts are a huge 8/5 to qualify, with 6/4 available across the board. This is a City side who have only beaten United once in their last five meetings in all competitions. They have failed to find the net in the last three games, two of which have gone in the favour of the red side of Manchester.
Pep Guardiola has praised Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the past and they are clearly a team they have struggled to work out. If City play like they did on Sunday then United will have issues but recent contests have shown that may not be the case. It's usually a fixture that suits United more than City because of the potential to counter attack.
The final play in this game again focuses on City but the 5/1 on Phil Foden grabbing an assist across 90 minutes is immediately eye-catching. The young attacking midfielder shone yet again when he started against Chelsea and he should retain his spot here given the competition and current absentees.
Both of his appearances in the Carabao Cup this season have brought a goal and an assist with his total assists tally sitting at five this season. That is an impressive number, even more so when he could have had more had it not been for some of his minutes being limited to substitute appearances.
He had a clear connection with De Bruyne on Sunday and brought a real attacking presence down the left side for City. A very talented player who is getting better as he is giving more opportunities in a competitive environment, having 5/1 on an assist for him will look too big if he is in the line-up as expected at 6:45pm.
The outright result in 90 minutes is best to avoid here because of the value available on United reaching Wembley, a play that is worth backing on price alone given the recent games between the two. While it may be the red side of Manchester celebrating on Wednesday evening, those in blue can still play their part and De Bruyne and Foden can make some form of impact.
Score prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Manchester City (Sky Bet odds: 6/1)
Best bets: Manchester United v Manchester City
Odds correct at 1000 GMT (05/01/20)
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