Manchester United v Manchester City EFL Cup

Just a few short weeks ago it seemed as if these two city rivals would be going head-to-head for the Premier League title but both teams have seen a significant drop off in form since Pep Guardiola‘s men left Old Trafford with three points.

The visitors have now gone five games without a win in all competitions but they’re 9/5 (2.80) with Betway to bounce back with a morale-boosting victory over their local rivals here. United, given their home advantage, are narrow favourites at 17/10 (2.70) despite their 4-0 humiliation at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The bookmakers are struggling to split these sides in this EFL Cup clash and that’s understandable, with that in mind the draw is a 23/10 (3.30) chance at Betway.

In terms of qualification for the quarter finals of this competition. The online firm go 19/20 (1.95) that it is the visitors that progress via any means while it’s 17/20 (1.85) that the Red Devils emerge victorious.

While the visitors don’t come into this game in the best of form, their performance in the previous meeting between the two teams will surely be a significant boost for Guardiola. The opening 45 minutes of that game was some of the best football we have seen City play under their new manager and as such, the Citizens certainly appear to be a little overpriced to qualify for the next round at 19/20 (1.95) here.

The major issue for both sides seems to be leaking goals, City have now gone seven games without a clean sheet. Meanwhile, a bore draw against Liverpool and a 1-0 win over minnows Zorya in the Europa League are the only two occasions Mourinho’s men have kept out their opposition in the last 10 matches in all competitions. Both teams to score should prove a popular bet at 8/11 (1.73).

Neither team are expected to make wholesale changes to their line-up. The need for a win combined with the occasions perhaps trumping the desire to rotate too heavily for two under pressure managers.

This game could well be full of goals. The only 2.5 line has landed in both sides’ respective third round ties and with little point in sitting back and playing for a draw, the onus could be on the attacking players to mask the defensive deficiencies that are there for all to see.

Pep Guardiola seems likely to continue with a back three and with Mourinho potentially combining the pace of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Jese Lingard in a three man attack, this has the makings of a particularly open encounter. As such, backing there to be at least three goals in the game at Evens (2.0) makes plenty of appeal at Betway. That bet would have landed in all but one of Manchester City’s eight games away from the Etihad this term.

Splitting stakes across the Over 2.5 goals line as well as City to qualify looks like a solid approach for what could be another high tempo, free-scoring clash between two teams who certainly appear much more comfortable going forward than at the back.