Previews

Manchester showdown

Author: John Harris
Date: 19/01/2010
Football betting

The most eagerly anticipated Carling Cup tie in recent memory approaches as Manchester City welcome arch rivals Manchester United to Eastlands for the first leg of their semi-final clash.

The Citizens suffered a reality check in their quest to gatecrash the Premier League's top four at the weekend, succumbing to a 2-0 loss at Everton, who were more than worthy winners.

With the loss at Goodison Park apart, the Blues have made an almost perfect start to life under new boss Roberto Mancini.

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The Blues will be brimming with confidence as well as a taste for revenge ahead of the arrival of their bitter neighbours, who snatched a dramatic 95th minute 4-3 victory in their last meeting in the league.

Ex-United favourite and form striker in England Carlos Tevez is likely to start for the home side who are expected to go for broke as they aim to take a lead for the return leg at Old Trafford.

Mancini has also handed his backing to Brazilian misfit Robinho, who was replaced at the weekend after 50 minutes despite coming on as a substitute himself.

The former Real Madrid playmaker has struggled for form and has been a target of widespread criticism for his attitude and performances this season and a move away from the club this month had been much speculated in recent weeks.

But with Roque Santa Cruz injured and the availability of Emmanuel Adebayor unclear, Robinho could return to the starting line-up this week.

New boy and former United enemy Patrick Vieira is unlikely to be thrown into action just yet, though Stephen Ireland has a chance of returning to the squad following a hamstring knock.

The importance placed on the game by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson may have been raised following their shock exit in the FA Cup third round at the hands of Leeds.

Though Ferguson has used the competition to rotate his squad in previous rounds, it could be that he takes his strongest XI across the city to maximise his side's prospects of living up to their billing as sportsbook favourites to lift the trophy at Wembley in February.

One first-team member who is likely to figure is Edwin van der Sar, who made his return to action in United's defeat of Burnley at the weekend.

The Dutch keeper had missed the Premier League champions' last 12 matches when an injury was followed by compassionate leave before keeping a clean sheet on his return to action last week.

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