10-1 Bellamy has first-goal claims Keith McHugh

NOISY neighbours or genuine contenders for silverware?

Well, we will find out tonight when Manchester City attempt to answer United boss Sir Alex Ferguson’s recent not-so-neighbourly jibe against them by beating the Reds in the semi-final of the Carling Cup.

With City 2-1 ahead after the first leg at Eastlands, this tie is balanced on a knife edge.

The onus is on United to attack, so expect City to pack the midfield and hit their arch-rivals on the break, utilising the lightning pace of Craig Bellamy and foraging of workaholic ex-Red Carlos Tevez.

The latter silenced the irritating Gary Neville with both City goals in the first leg and is generously priced at 15-2 to open the scoring tonight.

Bellamy, who scored twice when City lost 4-3 at Old Trafford in the Premier League earlier this season, is a 10-1 shot and that might just be the call.

Obviously, many punters will like the look of Wayne Rooney (4-1) following his four-goal salvo against Hull on Saturday, while a check of the Reds teamsheet will be needed if you fancy backing Michael Owen or Dimitar Berbatov (both 6-1).

As for the outcome of the match, United are 4-6 favourites to win, with the draw at 11-4 and City 5-1.

But the Sky Blues are marginal favourites to reach the final at Wembley, where they would take on Aston Villa.

City are rated 5-6 shots to go through, with United 10-11.


CITY are clear second favourites to win the FA Cup following their 4-2 victory over Scunthorpe on Sunday.

Roberto Mancini’s side have home advantage against Stoke in the last 16 and are a best-priced 4-1 to lift the famous trophy.

Chelsea, predictably, are 7-4 favourites, while Aston Villa are 7-1 and Tottenham 8s.

It is hard to see beyond Chelsea, but Birmingham have been mighty difficult to beat in the last couple of months and look overpriced at 16-1.

I expect Alex McLeish’s battlers to win at Derby in the next round after which their odds will surely contract.



OLDHAM’S rugby league players begin their Northern Rail Cup campaign at Leigh on Sunday and it is the home team who are strong favourites to come out on top.

The bookies make Leigh 1-8 to win this cup opener, while Oldham are 9-2 to spring a surprise.

Oldham are 66-1 to lift the trophy, well behind 4-1 favourites Halifax, Barrow (9-2) and Widnes.



ANDY Murray became the favourite to win the Australian Open following his victory over Rafael Nadal yesterday.

An injured Nadal quit in the third set, trailing two sets to nil and 3-0 in games.

Bookies were so impressed by Murray’s display that they slashed him to 6-4 for the Grand Slam title.

Roger Federer, who was playing Nicolay Davydenko today, was the 7-4 second favourite, with his opponent at 15-2, the same price as Novak Djokovic, who was taking on Jo Wilfried-Tsonga (25-1).

Murray is a best-priced 2-7 to beat Marin Cilic in the semi-finals. The Croatian is 3-1 for victory over the Briton and 14-1 to win the tournament.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Craig Bellamy to score first goal v Manchester United, 10-1 (bet365, Betfred, Paddy Power; Birmingham Cup to win FA Cup, 16-1 (bet365).