Manchester derby a betting bonanza

After 82 minutes at Old Trafford on Sunday, Manchester United had seemingly tightened their grip on a 20th league title having racked up what looked like an unassailable 4-2 advantage over Everton.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side switched off, the Toffees capitalised to nick a point and Manchester City overcame Wolves shortly afterwards to put the tussle at the top right back in the balance.

Monday’s mouth-watering Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium can subsequently almost be called a decider although United’s three-point lead in the table means the Red Devils remain odds-on, at 4/9 with Blue Square, to clinch top spot while bet365 make Roberto Mancini’s men 7/4 to wrest the crown from their rivals.

The hosts realistically need to prevail to keep the dream alive and Paddy Power make them 5/4 to do just that, with United 5/2 via BetVictor to effectively clinch it with a victory and 13/5 (Boylesports) to secure a point.

Mancini’s troops have won 16 of their 17 home fixtures, drawing the other but the leaders have a knack of grinding out results when it matters and the pair can cancel each other out in a match Coral price at 13/2 to finish 1-1. Is the script written, meanwhile, for Carlos Tevez? Back in favour and back amongst the goals, the former United man is 6/1 with Paddy Power to break the deadlock.

Staying in the top flight, Stan James make Everton 10/11 to follow up last week’s impressive stalemate with a home win against Fulham and in-form ex-Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic is an eye-catching 9/2 (Paddy Power) to notch first at Goodison Park.

Also set for a home success are Coral’s 6/5 chances West Brom, who host hapless Aston Villa, and Southampton, at 1/3 via William Hill, can seal promotion to the Premier League by beating relegated Coventry.

Elsewhere, Boylesports mark 11/10 against Cardiff booking a Championship play-off berth by seeing off Crystal Palace, Stan James offer Carlisle at 4/6 to overcome Exeter while League Two promotion hopefuls Shrewsbury and Cheltenham are 4/9 (BetVictor) and 8/11 (Boylesports) respectively to defeat Dagenham and Bradford.

Finally, in the SPL, Celtic look huge at 4/5 with BetVictor ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm showdown at Parkhead.

Weekend accumulator

West Brom, Southampton, Cardiff, Carlisle, Cheltenham, Shrewsbury (24/1, Skybet)

Top treble

Man City v Man Utd draw, Everton, Celtic (10/1, Ladbrokes)

First goalscorer

Nikica Jelavic (9/2, Paddy Power)

• Odds supplied by www.betrescue.com All odds subject to change