Ron looks bookish...

CRISTIANO RONALDO seems primed for centre stage at the Etihad, win, lose or draw.

Manchester City are an eye-catchingly thin 2/5 for the WIN (4.30pm) – the sort of price that looks as much about cutting the nation’s accas down to size as anything else.

There’s certainly nothing in the recent record of Manchester derbies to back it up. In the last dozen, City are W6 D1 L5 and the away side has won NINE times.

For all their flaws United have still only lost once (90mins) since mid-November.

Put hype aside, the solid data punt among the short-price types is NO ‘both teams to score’ at Evens (Fred, Paddy).

Hardly a thriller, but there is a bookings angle that could give us some jollies. Back Ronaldo (above) to ‘be shown a card’ at 4/1 (Bet365) – it’s bob-on for his stats, plus he’s been booked in three of five Big Six matches so far, including the reverse fixture.

Same ref today. Dare we hope Michael Oliver will find a reason to dish out a red for his seventh game in 32? We do dare.

Back Scott McTominay to be sent off at 40/1 (Skybet, Hills) if he starts. Frankly, the lad’s been asking for it lately.