THERE’S profit to be made as we look ahead to another bumper weekend of top-flight action.
With the Premier League all-but tied up this weekend, we now look ahead to the Carabao Cup final between Manchester City and Aston Villa.
And we’ve got betting tips for you as the two sides battle for the first major domestic honour of the season is decided at Wembley…
Man City vs Aston Villa, Sunday 4.30pm
IT’S no easy task facing Man City in a domestic final.
Just ask Watford, who haven’t been the same since their 6-0 horror show in last season’s FA Cup.
The wounded Citizens are still reeling from the news of their two-year European ban, but must now dust themselves down as they defend the Carabao Cup at Wembley.
Pep Guardiola’s side have fallen short of their high standards this term, although it was always going to be hard following a domestic Treble.
For Aston Villa, they can forget their relegation scrap for the day and concentrate on trying to win their first major silverware since 1996.
Good news for the neutral – apart from last year’s 0-0 snooze fest against Chelsea, League Cup final’s at new Wembley almost always guarantee goals.
Since moving back to the Home of Football in 2008, eight of the 12 finals held here have seen three or more.
And the two meetings between the sides this season in the Premier League would suggest this isn’t going to be a repeat of last year’s stalemate.
City thrashed Villa 6-1 last month on the road and swatted them aside 3-0 at the Etihad earlier in the campaign.
But taking a look at the match odds, it shows how football really has changed in the past decade.
These two operate in the same league, but Villa are massive 20/1 outsiders to win in the 90 minutes.
It’s not since League Two Bradford reached the final in 2013 that a side has been anything like that to lift the trophy – and even then with three league separating those teams you could only get 17/2 pre-match on the Bantams.
City are overwhelming favourites and there’s no point risking your hard-earned on the pitiful 2/13 odds.
Villa will be roared on by a sell-out, fanatical following from the Midlands – and the 23/20 on both teams to score is far too high, especially as Guardiola’s side have conceded in 21 of their games this season.
This is neutral ground, Villa will be pumped up and that is just far too big a price for the occasion.
We do expect City to ultimately lift the trophy and if they do, it’ll likely be with two or more goals to their name.
As such, play it safe and go for City to score in both halves – that’s a very generous 8/13 and well worth backing compared to the win market.
Jack Grealish looks set to be in the red half of Manchester this summer if reports are to be believed.
He’s the heartbeat of his hometown club and can be the man who finds the City net at 9/2 anytime.
SunSport’s best bets
Both teams to score in the Carabao Cup final: 23/20
Man City to net in BOTH halves: 8/13
Jack Grealish to show his class with a goal: 9/2
*All odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication
