United are too big for title at 5-2

SPORTS BETTING:

THERE comes a time when a price should dictate the course of your betting.

That time has come. Manchester United are available at 5-2 to win the Barclays Premier League and that is a price too generous to pass over.

Yes, leaders City have the easier fixtures to come. And yes, they boast a three points lead and a superior goal difference. But while City are worthy favourites, I am in no rush to back them at 1-2 to win their first top-flight domestic title since 1968.

Titles do not come easy and the been-there, done-that factor should not be underestimated. United have this experience in spades.

Add the African Cup of Nations-enforced absence for quite a while of Yaya and Kolo Toure, the ban being served by the excellent Vincent Kompany and this weekend’s tough home encounter against third-placed Tottenham and you can see City are slightly vulnerable, at least in the short term.

If, as I expect, United win at Arsenal this weekend, then the league table could look at lot different by Sunday night and United would be nowhere near the price they currently trade at.

I still believe City have the best team in the league, but the chances of the Manchester sides are not, in my opinion, accurately reflected in their respective prices.



FA CUP action comes to our TV screens tonight when ITV 1 stages the Midlands derby between Wolves and Birmingham.

This promises to be a feisty affair and one which the Premier League side, boasting home advantage and buoyed by their 1-1 draw at Spurs on Saturday, are favourites to win in 90 minutes at 11-10.

Birmingham are 29-10. with the draw at 12-5.



NOVAK Djokovic looked awesome in dropping just two games in his opening-round victory in the Australian Open. So it is no surprise that his odds on retaining the title have already been cut to 5-4 from last week’s recommended 11-8.

However, Britain’s Andy Murray dropped the first set against American Ryan Harrison and will have to improve. He is not for me, even at current odds of 11-2.



RECOMMENDATION: Manchester United to win Premier League title, 5-2 (Bet 365, William Hill)