City’s name is on the trophy already folks!
IT’S hard to believe, but here now in mid-August City and United are deeply involved at the business end of the two European competitions.
First up it’s the Blues against Lyon in the last of the Champions League quarter-finals tonight – and I’m reckoning Pep Guardiola’s men have their name on the trophy and will win handsomely.
Betfred have City to triumph 4-0 against the French in Portugal, which is a 10/1 shot - and Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus both 3/1 to open the scoring.
Sterling is the closest we have in the Premier League to take over from Ronaldo and Messi as the best on the planet … but that’s before United sign ex-City academy starlet Jadon Sancho from Dortmund!
It is remarkable how Sterling has improved, particularly his calmness in front of goal, and that’s down to Guardiola and his coaches, for at Liverpool the England flyer was good – but not that good.
City, who have been playing some splendid stuff after lockdown was lifted, are 2/1 favourites with Betfred to win the Champions League for the first time in their history - with Lyon the 50/1 rank outsiders.
I notice those of a Blue persuasion have been joining the so-called good natured banter about the number of penalties United have been winning of late. Well, I have a two-word response: Francis Lee!
Nowadays it is all about Bruno Fernandes’ spot kicks – one of which saw us Reds through against a combative Copenhagen on Monday night midweek to set up the semi-final with Sevilla in the Europa League in Germany tomorrow.
Fernandes – the best of some superb signings by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - is 5/1 favourite to score the first goal for United, the same Betfred price for him to score a penalty at any time against Sevilla.
Inter Milan are, however, the new favourites at 13/8 to win the Europa League, with United 7/4, Sevilla 3/1, and Shakhtar Donetsk outsiders at 9/1.
Finally, despite the Covid problems at Hull FC, Betfred Super League has readjusted, and round nine goes ahead this weekend at St Helens.
No Salford game, but Warrington take on Huddersfield later today with two big games tomorrow - namely Saints v Castleford followed by new league leaders Wigan against Leeds.
Man of the moment Regan Grace notched a tremendous hat-trick of tries for St Helens against Leeds last Sunday - and Betfred have him 16/1 to do it again and score three more against the Tigers tomorrow.