• Premier League, 2011-12

Man Utd have point to prove

Simon Cambers October 21, 2011

Click here to bet on the Premier League at bet365

The Manchester derby does not usually need anything extra to get the fans going but the fact that City sit top of the table and that United could wrest it back from them by winning this weekend just adds to the intrigue going into Sunday's clash at Old Trafford.

Ever since City returned to the top flight for good in the 2002-3 season, there has been a perception that they have at least held their own against United and they have certainly had their successes, winning at home in 2004, 2006 and 2007. But in the same period, they have managed to win at Old Trafford just once, in 2008.

Things have changed at City, though, with the influx of top-notch players, especially David Silva and Sergio Aguero, both of whom will relish the chance to show their worth against United on their home ground.

This match will show us a lot about the strength of City's title credentials but it will also show us how good this Manchester United side is. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has set his stall out for this game - he just about got away with playing a defensive formation at Liverpool last weekend and eased to Champions League victory in midweek - but this is the one he really wants to win.

Wayne Rooney will be itching to prove he is over his England red card and he and either Javier Hernandez or Danny Welbeck make a formidable attacking partnership, so City's defence is likely to be in for a tough afternoon.

At home, United have won 24 of their past 25 league games and that kind of home advantage is hard to ignore. At even money with bet365, they look a fair price to make it 25 of 26 and so I am going to make them the bet of the weekend.

Best of the rest

I imagine I am not the only one to look at the match between Fulham and Everton at Craven Cottage and immediately think draw. Fulham are traditionally strong at home while Everton are a battling side who are capable of holding anyone when in the mood.

Fulham have been pretty disappointing so far this season and returned home from Europa League action on Thursday with the taste of defeat still in their mouths. But six of their seven points have come at home so far and with Everton not exactly banging in the goals (seven in seven league matches, and just two on the road), they might fancy their chances of claiming a second win of the season.

But Everton are far, far better than their position of 15th suggests and have already won away this season, so will not have any mental block. At times this season they have shown what kind of side they are and I fancy them to at least hold Fulham for a share of the points. At 9/4, it's not a massive price, but the draw can be the weekend punt.

And so to the weekend treble. Aston Villa have been one of the more impressive sides of the season so far and they can see off Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion at Villa Park, at a generous even money with bet365.

Newcastle's unbeaten league record should stay intact when they host struggling Wigan, a match they can surely win at 4/7. And Wolves can get their act together enough at home to beat Swansea, who have lost all four games away, at evens.

A successful treble on those three would bring in just over 5/1, which would do just fine. Good luck!

Running total as of October 21 = -4.35pts

(Based on: 3pts stake for bet of weekend and 1pt per weekend punt and weekend treble

Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.

Simon Cambers is ESPN.co.uk's betting correspondent

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.