Manchester United v Manchester City Tips: United to convert from the spot yet again

There’s a small matter of a Manchhester derby on Wednesday evening as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side face Pep Guardiola’s men at Old Trafford in the League Cup semi-final. United have had an extra two days to prepare for the game and we’ve got three football tips from our man @AnthonyEadson.

With an extra couple of days preparation and an FA Cup tie with Watford at the weekend, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may name a relatively unchanged side. Edinson Cavani is serving the second of this three game ban, with Victor Lindelof the only injury concern for the home side.

After beating Chelsea 3-1 on Sunday it’s a quick turnaround for City, who could bring Riyad Mahrez and Fernandinho into the starting line-up. Pep’s side are riddled with Covid-19 and will be without Gabriel Jesus, Kyle Walker, Eric Garcia, Ferran Torres and Ederson.

The game will go to extra-time and penalties if required, however City are the ½ favourites to advance to the final. United can be backed to reach their first final since 2017 at the price of 6/4 with most firms. 

Anthony Martial & Phil Foden 1+ shot on target - 2pts @ 19/10 Betfair

Manchester United to score a penalty - 1pt @ 5/1 Paddy Power

Fernandes 1+ shot on target, Maguire & Fernandinho to be carded - 0.25pts @ 30/1 Paddy Power

I think we should see quite an open and exciting game on Wednesday, just as we did in this fixture 364 days ago at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup semi-final where City came out the 3-1 winners. For my first selection I’m fancying two players who both impressed on their most recent starts to have a shot on target in Anthony Martial and Phil Foden. This can be backed at 19/10, which looks a fair price and can be made with the Betfair Same Game Multi tool.

Anthony Martial should lead the line for Manchester United and the French forward actually landed three shots on target whilst getting on the scoresheet against Aston Villa on Friday evening. In his last four starts for the club, Anthony Martial has registered eight shots on target, hitting three or more on two occasions. He looks a generous price here at 8/13 to have one or more against City.

Doubled with Martial is Phil Foden to have a shot on target. The 20-year-old was superb against Chelsea on Sunday and you would expect him to keep his place in the side with several others out injured. The Stockport Iniesta has registered five shots on target in his last four starts, including one at the weekend at Stamford Bridge where he guided the ball beyond Eduard Mendy with world-class technique. At 19/10 this looks an attractive double with other firms such as Coral going shorter at 13/8.

It’s been well documented how Manchester United have had so much success from the penalty spot over the last couple of years. I’m fancying that trend to continue against Manchester City and I’m backing the hosts to convert from 12 yards at 5/1 with Paddy Power.

Since the start of the 2019/2020 season, the Red Devils have been awarded a staggering 33 penalties, incredible numbers in just under a season and a half! On penalty duty on Wednesday will be Bruno Fernandes who has slotted home 15 of his 16 penalties since arriving last January. A phenomenal record, and with 5/1 on offer here I’m willing to get involved, with this same selection being priced at 5/2 in recent weeks, albeit against a lower standard of opponent.

Derbies can often be feisty affairs and at 30/1 with Paddy Power I’ll also be having a small punt on Bruno Fernandes to have one or more shots on target, with both Harry Maguire and Fernandinho to be carded.

Bruno Fernandes has scored 15 goals during this campaign in the Champions League and Premier League, The impact he has had at the club is phenomenal. Free-kick and penalty taker, Fernandes is averaging more shots on target per game this season than any other player at the club (1.4) and has registered at least one shot on target in his last five matches.

Harry Maguire is a player who I’ve been following in the ‘to be carded’ market this season with the centre-back picking up more cards than any other United player. Maguire has picked up four yellows in the league, two in the Champions League and has also been sent off for England this season. The Manchester United captain has been booked against City more times than any other club in his career with eight yellows, including in the last two Manchester derbies. 

The final part of this 30/1 shot is for Manchester City’s Fernandinho to be booked. The Brazilian  has also picked up a yellow card in his last two Manchester derbies and has received a total of 139 cautions in his career. Last season Fernandinho picked up seven yellows in 30 league appearances as well as a further four in eight appearances in the Champions League. 

With a place in the final at stake I think we should see an exciting game. Best of luck to anyone following the selections on Wednesday evening, please always gamble responsibly.