Carling Cup - Manchester United v Crystal Palace Odds and Betting Preview

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND Sir Alex Ferguson has said that his team tonight will witness a “complete change” from the one that could only secure a point against Newcastle on the weekend. The Red Devils are expected to name a young and inexperienced starting 11 for the clash tonight which presents Dougie Freedman and his boys with an opportunity to make history.

Last year’s league champions are the clear favourites for this tie being priced up at 2/7 (bet £7 to make £2 profit) with bet365. What with Stamford Bridge looking vulnerable at the moment, Old Trafford is arguably the hardest place to travel to in the UK and tonight’s odds reflect this. The chances of the game ending as a draw are priced at 5/1 with Ladbrokes whereas the likelihood of Palace snatching what would be a fantastic victory is given odds of 12/1 with Ladbrokes.

The Red Devils will be pretty frustrated with their last couple of outings. Their last two results have both been draws (Newcastle and Benfica) and if they do not find their usual winning ways their Manchester rivals may leave them behind. The side have looked very impressive at times this season, but seem to be lacking their usual efficiency when it comes to getting the necessary results. A win for their youngsters would be good for momentum in such a congested part of the season.

Crystal Palace also failed to secure all three points this weekend when they had a goalless draw with Millwall. The club are 12th in the Championship having picked up 26 points from their first 18 matches. They have yet to win in their last five matches and in fact their most recent victory was in the previous round of the Carling Cup. Being underdogs like this however allows the players to relax and try to cause and upset; an upset that could turn around a season as there are few more motivating results than a win at Old Trafford.

In the total goals betting bet365 are offering 6/1 that there will be less than 1.25 goals. For those anticipating the floodgates to open odds of 6/1 are also being given bet365 for over five goals in the game. Both a half-time and full-time score dominance by Manchester United is the favourite at 4/6 Coral. Paddy Power are offering 100/1 odds that Manchester United will take a lead in at half time and then go on to lose at the final whistle. 2-0 is the favourite correct score result at 6/1 Ladbrokes. A 4-0 United win is given ods of 12/1 with Coral whereas the chances of Crystal Palace snatching a 1-0 win are 33/1 Coral.

Wayne Rooney has scored 12 goals in all competitions this year and if he starts he will surely be the favourite to get his name on the score sheet first. The odds of this happening are given at 10/3 with bet365. Close behind him are all the other United strikers as selection is unknown but dominance predicted. Both Berbatov and Hernandez are given odds of 7/2 BetFred to score first. The away fans’ hope lies with Glenn Murray who has scored four goals this season. He is the visitors’ favourite to grab the first goal at 16/1 bet365.

Kick-off is at 1945 GMT and the match can be viewed on Sky Sports 1

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