Premier League 
/ Michael Cox / 11 February 2011 / Leave a Comment 
United's Nani takes on City's Kompany in November
"One of City’s centre-backs might be worth backing to get a rare goal from a corner – Vincent Kompany will get my vote as first goalscorer if available at [60.0] or above."
Both teams need to show more ambition if this Manchester derby is to live up to the hype. But will Roberto Mancini start with two strikers and what formation will Sir Alex Ferguson favour? Michael Cox unravels the tactical dilemmas before Saturday's big match.
November's goalless draw at the City of Manchester Stadium was one of the most disappointing Premier League games of the campaign, with both teams seemingly settling for a draw from early on.
However, it wasn't atypical of Manchester City's results in 'big' games since Roberto Mancini took over. Against Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United, his results have been 4-2, 0-0, 0-1, 0-1, 0-0, 1-0, 0-3, 0-0, 0-0. That 4-2 win (away at Stamford Bridge) is the only occasion in that run of games that both sides have scored, so backing 'No' in 'Both teams to score?' at around [2.04] seems extremely good value.
Will Manchester City be any more attacking in this game? With Adam Johnson out and Mario Balotelli extremely doubtful, Roberto Mancini has a slight lack of options going forward, though his biggest decision remains whether to play both Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko upfront. Tevez has been superb this season in a 'false nine' role, and in this fixture Mancini will want the Argentina striker to play in his best position.
That would mean Dzeko having to play wide-left, although it seems more likely that Mancini will be cautious, playing James Milner on that flank. With Milner cutting onto his stronger foot and David Silva drifting inside from the opposite wing, it's unlikely City will win too many corners, so pay attention to the corners market - if United go anything above [1.6] in Corners Match Bet it's worth backing. Alternatively, Mancini could decide to field Aleksandar Kolarov on the left of midfield, as he did in City's 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion last week, with Pablo Zabaleta behind. If Kolarov plays on the wing, his goalscoring odds should be reconsidered accordingly, especially as he packs a great long-range shot.
Sir Alex Ferguson has his usual formation dilemma - 4-4-2 or 4-5-1? He's favoured the former in recent weeks, and Ferguson was bold enough to go with that in the recent FA Cup game against Liverpool (a fixture he may have been expected to field an extra central midfielder in), but the sheer strength City possess in midfield means it's more likely for Ferguson to go with a 4-5-1. Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick and Anderson will all be hoping to start - Fletcher and Scholes are probably most likely to get the nod, with Carrick and Anderson being chosen according to whether Ferguson wants ball retention from Carrick, or energy from Anderson.
United have received a big blow with the news that Rio Ferdinand will miss this game through injury, with Jonny Evans also out, and Ferguson has indicated that Chris Smalling will start alongside Nemanja Vidic. When United have been unable to field Vidic and Ferdinand at the back, they've looked much more vulnerable, especially in the air - the last time Smalling started alongside Vidic was away at Blackpool, when United conceded two headers from corners. With that in mind, one of City's centre-backs might be worth backing to get a rare goal from a corner - Vincent Kompany will get my vote as first goalscorer if available at [60.0] or above.
The midfield battle will be congested but not necessarily scrappy, despite the nature of the fixture. The game at Eastlands in November was very standoffish in the centre of the pitch, with both sides playing the game in front of each other, resulting in just two yellow cards. With bookings market, a lot will depend on who starts the game - Balotelli, Scholes, Zabaleta and Nigel de Jong the men to watch out for.
Recommended bets:
'No' in Both Sides To Score? at [2.04]
Vincent Kompany to score first at [60.0]
Both teams need to show more ambition if this Manchester derby is to live up to the hype. But will Roberto Mancini start with two strikers and what formation will Sir Alex Ferguson favour? Michael Cox unravels the tactical dilemmas...
This a big game for two sides who are close to each other in the table and haven't lost hope of still qualifying for the Champions League. It could just turn out to be a high-scoring affair, says Frank Gregan....
Shock appointment as ex-Liverpool boss takes over at the Hawthorns after [1.01] Hughton is snubbed......
No comments:
Post a Comment