Premier League Betting: Tevez can boost City title challenge

Premier League / Hannah Duncan / 22 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Tevez on that fateful night in Munich

"City need a boost to see them through to the end of the campaign – a different option in front of goal - and Carlos Tevez could well be that man."

Carlos Tevez behaved badly in the autumn and he has bridges to build with his manager, team-mates and fans, says Hannah Duncan. However, if the Argentine helps Manchester City win the Premier League then he might be forgiven...

In a month that's seen Mick McCarthy apologise for Wolves' 5-1 drubbing to local rivals West Brom (and promptly get the boot) and big figures at Liverpool frantically offering apologies following Luis Saurez's refusal to shake Patrice Evra's hand, football now has its latest sorry tale.

Trouble seems to have followed Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez around like a bad smell in recent years, with controversial comments and prima donna strops. But his unwillingness to warm-up against Bayern Munich back in September was the final straw for Tevez in restaurant-deprived Manchester - or so it seemed.

After a self-imposed five-month sabbatical, Tevez has finally issued an apology to manager Roberto Mancini and is back in training with the Premier League leaders. But will his return be a timely one in City's bid for the title or will more trouble be on the horizon for the Argentinean?

Despite untimely exits from the Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup, Manchester City are in a great position to put their name on some silverware this season. Mancini's side are [1.67] favourites to win the Premier League and [4.2] favourites to clinch the Europa League title.

But their formidable form has dropped somewhat since Christmas, with their free-flowing attack subdued by West Brom, Sunderland and Everton. They are still winning matches but nowhere near as convincingly as earlier in the season. Forwards Mario Balotelli, Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko have scored just five goals between them in the league since Christmas, netting one, two and two respectively - with two of those coming from the penalty spot.

City need a boost to see them through to the end of the campaign - a different option in front of goal - and Carlos Tevez could well be that man. He's a prolific goalscorer and a creator and, whatever has gone on in the past, and whatever might go on in the future, Mancini needs to get the best out of Tevez between now and the end of the season.

Despite not netting in the handful of games he's played this campaign, the Argentine scored 24 goals in 44 appearances last season, including six braces and a hat-trick - certainly not a bad return. If he can recapture that form when he's back to full fitness, Manchester United's title challenge could be dead in the water.

Betting on Tevez to still be at City next season may have looked a ridiculous bet a few months ago but, depending on how his return to the Etihad Stadium goes, it might not be a bad shout now. His success at City relies heavily on the bridges he can build, not only with his manager, but with team-mates and fans too.

If City are to keep a lacklustre but always dangerous Manchester United at bay in both the Premier League and Europa League, bygones may have to be bygones where Carlos Tevez is concerned.

There are opportunities to make money on Betfair over the next few months betting on whether or not the likes of Robin van Persie and Carlos Tevez change clubs this summer......

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Lifelong Man City fan Lee Dixon believes most City players would be prepared to forgive Carlos Tevez if the Argentinian returned to the team in goalscoring form......

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Lee Dixon Video: Man City players will forgive Tevez

Premier League / Lee Dixon / 20 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Can Tevez and Mancini kiss and make-up?

Lifelong Man City fan Lee Dixon believes most City players would be prepared to forgive Carlos Tevez if the Argentinian returned to the team in goalscoring form...

In an exclusive video interview, the Betfair Ambassador said the football dressing room is a unique environment where trangressions are quickly forgotten.

With Tevez now back in Manchester after his self-imposed exile - and reports suggesting he may be prepared to apologise to Roberto Mancini - Dixon said the City players "won't care one jot" about the Argentinian's refusal to play should he score some vital goals in the run-in.

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Norwich have been one of the surprise teams in the Premier League, thanks in no small part to John Ruddy, says Hannah Duncan. Next stop, England?...

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Premier League Results: United struggle while City thrive without Tevez

Premier League / Maxliu / 01 October 2011 / Leave a Comment

Manchester's Reds leave it late before securing home while City show they don't need Carlos with thumping win. Meanwhile, Kenny is king on Merseyside...

Manchester United may have only drifted to [1.74] but their fans experienced an anxious wait before Anderson's () minute goal set them on their way to a 2-0 win.

Two minutes before the Brazilian's goal, Norwich should have gone ahead when Anthony Pilkington broke through on goal. However, the winger shot wide and, as is often the way at Old Trafford, his team were punished shortly afterwards. The impressive Danny Wellbeck scored United's second shortly before full-time.

Unite's title rivals and neighbours Manchester City were far more emphatic as they thumped Blackburn 4-0 at Ewood Park. Supporters held up a banner which read Tevez Out and on this showing the Eastland's club don't need the Argentine. Adam Johnson, Mario Balotelli, Samir Nasri and Stefan Savic were all on target as City poured on the pain for beleagured Rovers. City are 3.7 to win the Premier League while Blackburn are [2.16] for the drop.

Liverpool traded at 2.9 as they came out on top in a lively Merseyside Derby. Playing with ten men following the dismissal of Jack Rodwell, Everton held the Reds at bay until the 71st minute. Dirk Kuyt had a penalty saved by Tim Howard so it was up to Andy Carroll and then Luis Suarez to win the match for Kenny Dalglish's team.

They were up to fourth in the table before Newcastle beat Wolves 2-1 at Molineux. Alan Pardew's team continued their sensational run and are now third, following today's win, for which they were backed at [3.45].

One of the season's other quiet successes so far are Aston Villa and their form continued today with a 2-0 win over Wigan. Gabriel Agbonlahor and Darren Bent scored either side of half-time to ensure that Alex McLeish's men remain unbeaten.

At the Stadium of Light, Sunderland and West Brom played out a lively 2-2 draw which was matched at [7.0] and rewarded those who grabbed the four goal stalemate at [18.5] in the correct score market.

Lee Dixon thinks history suggests a currently out-of-form Arsenal can still salvage something from a match where a goal glut will once again be on the cards....

Third visits last in Sunday's first match of the day and all the stats in the world point towards a comfortable Chelsea win. We simply can't ignore them, says Lee Dixon....

Tactics, team selection, systems and momentum will all play a huge part in the outcome of this match. Lets' make some money from guessing how all these factors will pan out, says Michael Cox....

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Transfer News: Aguero to replace Tevez at City?

Premier League / Maxliu / 17 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Eastlands bound?

"Is it worth having a small wager on Tevez to stay at [3.7]?"

If one Argentina strikers goes another may arrive at Eastlands, United chase "new Kaka" and Wenger prepares for life after Cesc. Let us know what you think of the latest transfer rumours...

If Argentine striker Carlos Tevez does leave Eastlands this summer - he's [1.15] to leave - then Diego Maradona's son-in-law might be the man who replaces him.

That's the latest rumour buzzing around Eastlands with the Blues reportedly interested in brining Sergio Aguero in from Atletico Madrid. The striker will cost City around £38 million - the type of fee they may recoup if Tevez leaves. However, City have so far failed to agree a fee with Corinthians, Tevez's main suitors, and there are only three days to go until the Brazilian transfer window closes. Is it worth having a small wager on Tevez to stay at [3.7]?

City fans, what do you think? With your team [5.2] to win the Premier League, is Augero the man for you if Tevez goes?

Forward motion is on the cards at White Hart Lane too with reports the Peter Crouch may leave Tottenham before the end of the transfer window. Betfair don't as yet have a To Stay market on the England striker so it's a surprise to here that he could return to Queens Park Rangers as Neil Warnock prepares a cheeky bid. Crouch spent a season at Loftus Road a decade ago but do the Hoops think he's the man to lead their Premier League charge this season?

Manchester United may not sign Samir Nasri - [1.6] to stay at Arsenal - but they are setting their sights on young Brazilian midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso. Dubbed "the new Kaka", Ganso plays for Santos and it's understood that United might be able to land him for around £25 million.

Meanwhile, the arrival of ex-Red Devils John O'Shea and Wes Brown at the Stadium of Light means that Anton Ferdinand could find himself surplus to requirements. A return to West Ham might be on the cards for the defender or a move to Birmingham.

Arsene Wenger is already seeking replacements for Cesc Fabregas - [1.78] to stay at Arsenal - and Napoli's Marek Hamsik is at the top of his list. The Slovakian, who has, at the age of 23, already captained his country is seen as the ideal solution to filling the hole that the Spaniard would leave in the Gunners' midfield.

Harry Redknapp has once again insisted that wantaway midfielder Luka Modric will be a Spurs player at the start of the season....

Arsene Wenger does not plan to report Barcelona to FIFA over Xavi's comments about Cesc Fabregas but has hit out at the Barca player for being disrespectful....

The papers have combined to find four potential targets for Aston Villa as they try to improve their squad with the funds recouped for Ashley Young and Stewart Downing....

Patrick Vieira has announced the end of his glorious career, having won trophies with all four clubs that employed him since 1996 as well as reaching the top with his country....

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FA Cup Betting: Tevez more sorely missed than Rooney

Premier League / Andrew Atherley / 13 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

They're the stars of their respective teams but City miss Tevez more than United miss Rooney

"Most telling, perhaps, is the importance of the goals scored by Rooney and Tevez. Even with Rooney struggling for goals since injuring his ankle against Bayern Munich last spring – he has scored in just 12 of his 32 appearances in major club competitions since then – United have kept on winning and progressing on all fronts."

The stats suggest the likely loss of Carlos Tevez will hurt Manchester City far more than the certain absence of Wayne Rooney for United. In the other semi, side with the team with the better away record, says Andrew Atherley.

Manchester United won't miss the suspended Wayne Rooney in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final anywhere near as much as Manchester City will miss Carlos Tevez, if he fails to recover from his hamstring injury. That's what the stats say about the influence of the two key strikers.

United completed a routine 2-0 home win over Fulham last weekend, as Rooney sat out the first match of his suspension, and it was entirely in keeping with their form profile when Rooney is not in the starting 11. Since the start of last season, when Rooney assumed the role of United's main man following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, United have averaged 2.25 points per game when he has started. But they have averaged a healthy 2.05 when he hasn't been in the starting line-up, losing only one out of 18.

Contrast that with Carlos Tevez's influence on City's results, especially since Roberto Mancini took over as manager. In that period City have averaged 1.85 points per game when Tevez has started but a significantly lower 1.29 when he hasn't been in the starting line-up.

Most telling, perhaps, is the importance of the goals scored by Rooney and Tevez. Even with Rooney struggling for goals since injuring his ankle against Bayern Munich last spring - he has scored in just 12 of his 32 appearances in major club competitions since then - United have kept on winning and progressing on all fronts.

City, meanwhile, have become too reliant on Tevez. One measure of his influence on their results is that only six of Mancini's 27 Premier League wins have been achieved without Tevez being on the scoresheet. City's replacement strikers, Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko, just haven't looked capable of stepping into Tevez's boots, whereas United can call on Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov in Rooney's absence.

All in all, it's advantage United if Tevez doesn't play.

Discontent has been rumbling about the forced march south for this weekend's FA Cup semi-finalists and, while the long trek to Wembley is a logistical and cost issue for fans, there may be a footballing disadvantage too for Manchester City and Stoke City.
In big matches played on neutral territory, it is often worth checking which team is more effective away from their home ground. The significance in this instance is that of the past 20 FA Cup semi-finals played between teams from the Premier League, 15 have gone to the team with the best away record (and 13 of those won within 90 minutes).

With Manchester United ranked third to City's fifth in the Premier League away form table and Bolton 16th to Stoke's 19th, the two favourites have the edge on that factor.
City's problems on the road are clear from their current winless run of 10 away games in all competitions, culminating in Monday night's 3-0 defeat at Liverpool, and they failed to get the job done in their two away ties in the FA Cup (drawing at Leicester and Notts County before winning the replays at home).

Stoke, meanwhile, have been perennial strugglers on the road since joining the Premier League, with nine wins and 32 defeats in 54 away games. The problem may well be that they can set up the Britannia stadium to exploit weapons such as Rory Delap's long throw but are in no position to influence matters elsewhere.

Stoke's fanatical fans offer the best chance of recreating the Britannia at Wembley. But Bolton have shown the capability to perform well in the FA Cup away from home, winning in the last three rounds at fellow Premier League sides Wigan, Fulham and Birmingham.

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Manchester United to beat Manchester City at [2.28]
Bolton to beat Stoke at [2.54]

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