Manchester City-Barnsley Betting Preview: Mancini's men set for Cup cruise
Mar 8, 2013 9:15:00 AM
The Citizens have yet to concede a goal in this year's FA Cup and Willie Duncan is expecting them to enjoy a comfortable win over the Tykes this weekend
Manchester City kept their slim hopes of retaining their Premier League title alive with a battling 1-0 victory over Aston Villa on Monday night, but they will turn their attentions to the FA Cup this weekend when they welcome Championship strugglers Barnsley to the Etihad.Roberto Mancini’s men are red-hot favourites at just 1/8 (1.13) with Bet365 to see off the Tykes on Saturday evening, while the same firm offer a massive 18/1 (19.0) quote on the Championship side sending their illustrious Premier League opponents spinning out of the cup. The draw is chalked up at 7/1 (8.0) with Bet365.
City, of course, have already brushed aside Championship opposition on home turf en route to the last eight, with the 2011 FA Cup winners having enjoyed a 3-0 success over Watford in the third round before cruising to a 4-0 success over Leeds United in the last round.With those results in mind, Bet365’s 10/11 (1.91) quote for Mancini’s men to win (-2) on the handicap looks to represent outstanding value here and should be snapped up by punters keen to side with the hosts.
The 4/5 (1.80) quote from Bet365 for City to win both halves also carries considerable appeal here while the 8/11 (1.73) on offer from the same firm for City to win to nil should also be carefully considered by punters.
For David Flitcroft’s men, Championship survival is surely the main priority, with Barnsley currently sitting in the relegation places and it is difficult to make a case for the Tykes given the evident gulf in class between the two sides.With such skinny odds available on a home win in the outright market, it is the correct score market which offers best value for those seeking bigger prices and the generous 13/2 (7.50) quote from Bet365 for Roberto Mancini’s men to romp to another 4-0 FA Cup home victory over Championship opposition is the selection here.
 |
BET |
OF THE |
DAY |
| BEST BET |
VALUE BET |
| Manchester City (-2) to win at 10/11 (1.91) with Bet365 |
Manchester City to win 4-0 at 13/2 (7.50) with Bet365 |
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Willie Duncan is a freelance sports journalist. Willie, from Edinburgh, has covered Scottish football for over 10 years and he specialises in football betting markets from across Europe. You can also follow Willie on Twitter
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