City value at 5-2 to lift cup

SPORTS BETTING: THERE is an intriguing sub-plot to tonight’s Carling Cup semi-final showdown between Liverpool and Manchester City.

Liverpool go into the game with a 1-0 advantage from the first leg at the Etihad Stadium and are favourites to progress to Wembley.

But the match itself is not my only reason for switching on Sky for the game. Just as fascinating will be the latest offerings from Messrs Dalglish and Mancini.

Liverpool boss Dalglish habitually gives interviewers a hard time. Whether he thinks he is being smart by turning the tables on his questioners I am not sure, but the overwhelming impression is of a man who finds the whole thing thoroughly tiresome.

And when he is not throwing back glib answers, he can be relied upon to stop interviewers in their tracks.

Take, for example, the two-footed Glen Johnson tackle in the first leg of this tie.

“I didn’t see it,” was his stony-faced reply when asked to comment. What a conversation stopper and convenient method of dodging a potential bullet. It could have been Arsene Wenger speaking.

As for Mancini, he appears to see little wrong in players hacking down opponents – providing they wear a City shirt.

Unlike Dalglish, Mancini is not a question-ducker and I actually quite like the guy.

But waving imaginary cards at officials and a reluctance to condemn serial offenders is not the way to go, Roberto.

Anyway, a football match is about to break out tonight and I believe City may well win it.

The reader of this column wrote a letter to me this week saying that the 5-2 about the Blues winning the Carling Cup was good value and I tend to agree.

Quite simply, they are a far better side than Liverpool and will be on a high following their fortunate 3-2 victory over Tottenham on Sunday.

Liverpool, in contrast, were abject in their 3-1 defeat to Bolton 24 hours earlier.

Liverpool are favourites to win tonight’s game in 90 minutes at 7-4, with City just behind at 9-5.

And if you fancy the latter outcome, then there is every chance City will be at Wembley. They would surely win the final, so the 5-2 recommended by my mate from Waterhead is worth taking.



ANOTHER side with Wembley in their sights are Oldham Athletic.
Trailing 2-1 after the first leg of their Johnstone’s Paint Northern Area final against Chesterfield, the Latics are 4-5 to win the second game at Boundary Park on Monday night.

The Spireites are 100-30 with the draw a 5-2 shot.

I have my fingers crossed for Paul Dickov’s team, but recent form suggests the visitors are slight favourites to progress to the final. Both clubs are 11-4 to lift the trophy, with Paulo Di Canio’s Swindon 11-8 and Barnet rank outsiders on 9-1.


RECOMMENDATION: Manchester City to win the Carling Cup, 5-2 (general).