Man City vs Man Utd: Utd longest price in decades for derby win
Published:Manchester United are in a current spot of disarray and this along with the strength of the home form of Manchester City are the chief reasons as to why the Red Devils are such a huge price to win at the Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup third round.
It has been around 40 years since the pair can both be considered title challengers and recent form suggests Manchester City should roll over the Red Devils in the FA Cup.
Roberto Mancini has watched his team win all ten of their top-flight home games this season, alongside handing Manchester United their worst ever home defeat of the Premier League era.
Meanwhile, Manchester United head into the encounter on the back of two home defeats, with a defence in disarray and a midfield lacking any sort of impetus and creativity.
However, Sir Alex Ferguson will demand a response for the recent losses and revenge for the October humiliation, while Manchester City are short of midfield ammunition with Gareth Barry suspended and Yaya Toure heading off the African Nations Cup.
Therefore, there is every chance that Manchester United can defy their biggest price in decades to win a one-off football match against Manchester City of 5/2 and their biggest price to win any game since the Champions League final with Barcelona in May.
This huge price could be seen as somewhat of a match special and there are also a host of other specials to mark the occasion in the FA Cup.
Given the rivalry between the clubs and the intensity of the occasion, it would be no surprise to see reactions boil over, either on the pitch or in the dugout.
It is 10/1 in the FA Cup odds that either manager is sent to the stand by referee Chris Foy.
Mario Balotelli in particular is never one to shy away from controversy and if he starts for Manchester City, 4/1 may be a big price that any player scores and reveals a T-shirt bearing an image, slogan or message.
Other markets include 20/1 that Sir Alex is given a late birthday present of a bottle of wine by Mancini at pitchside and 10/1 that Manchester City complete the treble of beating Manchester United, winning the FA Cup and then also topping the Premier League.
