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One of the fiercest rivalries in football will resume this evening as reigning Premier League champions Manchester United travel to Elland Road to take on their arch rivals, Leeds in the Carling Cup 3rd round.
Despite being separated by over 40 miles, both sides share a mutual dislike of each other, borne out of a series of fierce encounters than can be traced back to the early 60’s and a similarly fiery affair can be expected this time round.
One division and 31 league positions currently separate the two rivals but that will count for nothing as United go about avenging their humiliating defeat at the hands of the Whites in last year’s FA Cup 3rd round.
A Jermaine Beckford goal was enough to secure a 1-0 for Simon Grayson’s side that day, and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will be keen to make amends for that defeat with a convincing win.
Leeds’ main focus this season remains securing Premier League football for the first time since the 2003/04 season, but the Elland Road faithful would dearly love to cause another upset that would go some way to making up for the lack of regular games against their great rivals.
However even the most hardened of Leeds’ fans will find it difficult to envisage victory after the spectacular start to the Premier League season United have enjoyed.
Ferguson has shaped many a great team and led them passed Liverpool’s record tally of 19 league titles, but has never enjoyed a start to a new season as good as this year – The Red Devils have found the net an astonishing 21 times in five games and remain unbeaten, demolishing league rivals Arsenal 8-2 and fellow Premier League hopefuls Chelsea 3-1 in the process.
Dimitar Berbatov will likely get his first start of the season after falling down the pecking order behind Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez, and the Bulgarian will be keen to put a case forward for a regular starting spot having missed an easy chance against Chelsea on Sunday.
The former Spurs man will likely line up alongside Michael Owen, another who will be keen to impress having been deprived of opportunities so far this season.
Ferguson will likely field an inexperienced side including the likes of Paul Pogba and Will Keane, while Chris Smalling will miss the tie with a groin injury.
Grayson will have one eye on his side’s tough championship clash with Brighton and Friday and is expected to make changes to the side that beat Bristol City on Saturday, although Patrick Kisnorbo will miss out having being sent off in that game.
Leeds have never beaten United in the League Cup in four attempts, while they Whites also have a less than impressive record against the Old Trafford outfit – in 107 games they have only picked up 26 wins, losing 54 and drawing 35 times.
Match Winner
It comes as no surprise that United are the huge favourites fort this game, with @ Coral offering 1.57 (4/7) on the Red Devils picking up the win.
Whilst on face value this may be the obvious way to go, the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson will field a team of youngsters to go out and play in front of a passionate Elland Road crowd may be enough to convince you to have a punt on the home side, with @ Ladbrokes tempting odds of 6.50 (11/2) well worth a look.
Correct Score
With Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen on the pitch the Red Devils will pose a threat in attack, and with Leeds defensive woes it is difficult to envisage the visitors not finding the back of the net on Tuesday night.
@ Bet365 are offering 8050 (15/2) on Man Utd running out 2-1 winners, while @ BlueSQ are offering odds of 23.00 (22/1) on a repeat of the two side’s FA Cup encounter 18 months ago.
Given the free scoring nature of United’s play and the fact they will likely opt for two clinical strikers up front, a score of 4-1 isn’t beyond the realms of possibility, and at 23.00 (22/1) @ BoyleSports is well worth considering.
Recommended bets
Dimitar Berbatov to score first: 5.00 (4/1) @ SportingBet
Both teams to score: 1.62 (8/13) @ BetFred
