Carling Cup: Outright Betting Update - City Odds-on for First Trophy of 2011/12

Manchester City are favourites to win the Carling Cup at the semi-final stage of the competition, with Victor Chandler offering 10/11 on the Premier League leaders, who face Liverpool in the next round after Samir Nasri’s late goal saw them beat Arsenal at the Emirates on Tuesday.

Roberto Mancini’s men showed signs last season of what money can get you in football as they lifted the FA Cup for the first trophy of the oil-rich era but the ambition this season extends to all four trophies. An imperious start to their league campaign has seen Paddy Power make them just 4/6 to win the title for the first time and they are one of few teams who can be confident of having the personnel to compete on every front.

 They will face a real test, however, in the ‘new look’ Liverpool of Kenny Dalglish. Two wins at Chelsea in just nine days makes them one of the country’s most in-form sides and they are likely to take the competition slightly more seriously than their opponents, who did not start their first eleven at Arsenal last time out. Liverpool are clear 7/4 second-favourites with Ladbrokes and a trip to the final would give them a huge chance of lifting the trophy, with the other side of the draw featuring two Championship clubs.

The more likely of those two to throw up a shock is thought to be Cardiff, available at 10/1 with Boyelsports. Cardiff are now third in the table, though still 23 places behind City in English football, after a timely hot-streak that has seen them go unbeaten in eight games, of which they won six. One of those victories came against Crystal Palace, who has not scored for five games ahead of their Old Trafford heroics. Palace are real outsiders for the Carling Cup, available at 12/1 with Bet 365.

The first leg of semi-final ties will be played the week beginning January 9th, 2012. 

Carling Cup winner betting odds