The first Manchester derby of the Roberto Mancini era on Tuesday and a place at Wembley is the prize on offer for the victors.
The clash at the home of Manchester City against their great rivals Manchester United is the first of a two-legged semi final, the return is next Wednesday at Old Trafford, and it’s an eagerly anticipated one regardless of the relatively lowly level of competition.
Despite the fact that the hosts have not landed a major trophy since the League Cup back in 1976 the recent financial investment in the club from new owners means they now have their eyes on the biggest prizes. However, a win over Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, even in the Carling Cup, to move a step closer to claiming some long overdue silverware would mean the world to Manchester City fans and the visiting manager also looks like naming a strong starting line up.
Despite a 2-0 defeat at Goodison Park on Saturday evening Mancini’s side enter the game in the better form of the pair and are quite rightly favoured on home soil. However, whether United should be approaching the 3.00 mark to establish a first leg lead is questionable and the odds compilers seem to have underestimated their chances.
The Red Devils’ 3-0 win over Burnley on Saturday kept them in touch with Chelsea at the Premier League summit, nine points ahead of Tuesday opponents, and, while the performance did little to convince they’d turned the corner, a clean sheet and three points was vital. The Old Trafford outfit have tasted defeat seven times already this season in all competitions and have had to contend with a crippling injury crisis.
Key defensive absentees at the turn of the year hampered Ferguson but with the likes of Nemanja Vidic, Wes Brown and Gary Neville all returning in recent weeks they have, at last, recognised personnel at the back. However, United do still rely heavily on Wayne Rooney for creative inspiration at the other end and much will rest on his shoulders once more.
With Roque Santa Cruz injured again on Merseyside last time out in-form Carlos Tevez is likely to lead the line for City alongside Craig Bellamy, Emmanuel Adebayor is still on indefinite leave, and I think the away side will be able to minimise the threat posed by the hosts. Stephen Ireland’s absence and Patrick Vieira’s injury means United get the nod in midfield for me, Darron Gibson could well partner Darren Fletcher, and they could enjoy a good deal of possession.
While City remain unbeaten at home this season in the top flight and their ten matches at Eastlands have produced 40 goals I fancy this to be low scoring. The last three fixtures between the pair at this stadium have featured only as many goals and although the 4-3 Old Trafford thriller, settled by an injury time Michael Owen winner, remains fresh in the memory a single strike could be enough to give either team an advantage.
Given the tie cannot be settled on Tuesday punting caution is advised but I cannot resist taking some of the 2.10 offered about United in the Draw No Bet market with Boylesports. Four league defeats away from home already is a negative but the defending champions probably possess a greater number of match-winners, have a terrific record under Ferguson in Soccer jerseys semi finals and have key men returning.
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