The two title favourites meet tonight at the Etihad, so we had a look at the odds to see if we can make any money from the biggest game of the season so far.
In last night’s Super Bowl, the NFL’s best offence (Denver) met the NFL’s best defence (Seattle) and the defensive team came out on top, winning by a huge margin as the repeatedly turned over the ball, capitalising on every mistake Denver made. The final score was 43-8 but the game was over as a contest by half-time.
Tonight, the Premier League’s most potent side Manchester City face the shrewdest defence this season, Chelsea. Will we get a repeat of what happened in the Super Bowl?
We doubt it, to be honest, but if you think Chelsea will smother the Manchester City attack, a win for Jose Mourinho’s side is a very tasty 7/2 with Ladbrokes. The home side, who have played, and won, all 11 games at the Etihad this season, are 17/20 to keep that run going tonight.
The draw, which we’re pretty sure Jose, and Arsene Wenger too, would take is also appealing at 13/5.
With Sergio Aguero unavailable, the goalscorer markets are wide open. If the Argentinian striker was playing, he would surely be the favourite but in his absence, four of his team-mates head the betting.
Alvaro Negredo is 9/2, Edin Dzeko is 13/2, Stevan Jovetic is 8/1, as is Yaya Toure. We quite fancy the Ivorian in this market. The game should be tight, with perhaps just one goal in it and that could well favour the man who takes the free kicks, and penalties, for Manuel Pellegrini.
The best odds for a Chelsea player is Sameul Eto’o, who is also at 8s but we think Toure is the way to go here.
Unlike the Super Bowl, we really do think this game has all the hallmarks of a low-scoring affair. With that in mind, 17/4 for just one goal to be scored in the game is attractive, as is a 1-0 win for City, generously priced at 9/1.
Despite Chelsea’s defensive excellence, we really believe that City will be too strong for them at the Etihad. And with their appetite for goals at home – 42 in 11 – Manchester City to win and under 2.5 goals in the game at 18/5 is our bet of the night.
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