Dimitar Berbatov has scored first in five of United's home league games this season
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If anyone is going to catch Manchester United at the top of the table this season then they need to start dropping points soon and after last week's slip-up at Wolves, there will be many thinking that neighbours Manchester City could do the job this weekend when the two sides meet in the derby clash at Old Trafford.
United beat City home and away in both the 2008/9 and 2009/10 seasons but there was very little in any of those games and since City's big spending of last summer, the "poor cousins" are not quite so poor any more.
United's run to the top of the table has coincided with the form and fitness of Rio Ferdinand, whose assurance at the back has been of paramount importance to their solidity, so the fact that he will miss the City game because of injury could be a vital factor.
In their past nine games, United have been ahead at half-time and full-time, so it would be tempting to take the 13/8 on that happening for a 10th time. But I feel City are going to fight them harder than ever so it would be an unnecessary risk to go that way. City, on the other hand, have scored just once in five games against sides in the top five this season so maybe they have been found wanting at the very top.
Cambers' Calls
- Bet of the weekend: Sunderland to beat Tottenham - 17/10 bet365
- Weekend punt: Dimitar Berbatov to be first goalscorer in Man Utd v Man City - 7/2 bet365
- Weekend treble: Newcastle, Stoke and Chelsea to win - 16/1 bet365
It's more than probable that United will win but I just don't feel strongly enough to make it the bet of the weekend, so instead, let's focus on one of the riskier markets in this match and make it the weekend punt.
I don't normally like to suggest first goalscorer bets because they are usually so random but this time I am going to say that Dimitar Berbatov is worth backing at 7/2 to open the scoring. The Bulgarian has scored first in five games this season at Old Trafford. With Wayne Rooney still not firing on all cylinders, most of those goals have come early, so if United start well then he could be the man again.
So if the Manchester derby is not the match to produce the bet of the weekend, which one is? Well, I fancy it could be at the Stadium of Light where Tottenham's Champions League credentials could be tested hard. Four of Tottenham's five league defeats this season have come away from home and with Gareth Bale still out they may sometimes lack that bit of inspiration when the matches are tight.
Sunderland may have lost at Stoke last weekend - losing two late goals - but they have the firepower in the air to hurt Spurs' defence. They have won this fixture in two of the past three years and I can see them making it three out of four, so Sunderland to beat Tottenham is the bet of the weekend at 17/10 with bet365.
If coming from 4-0 down to draw with Arsenal has not lifted spirits at Newcastle then nothing will. They showed admirable courage to fight back last weekend and they should be able to carry that momentum over to their trip to Blackburn where at 5/2 they look a good price to begin the weekend treble.
Stoke should also have the physical presence required to win at a struggling Birmingham side this weekend at 19/10 and Chelsea should have too much strength for Fulham and can make it four wins in the past five seasons at Craven Cottage, at 8/11.
A successful treble on those three would bring in a whopping 16.5pts profit, which would be a nice way to brighten up a grey February weekend.
Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.
Simon Cambers is ESPN.co.uk's betting correspondent
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Simon Cambers
Simon Cambers is ESPN.co.uk's betting correspondant Simon Cambers is ESPN.co.uk's betting correspondant
