Manchester United and Aston Villa play in the Carling Cup final on Sunday. Man U has beaten Villa nine times in the past five seasons and are looking for their fourth Carling Cup. However, Villa has a win and a draw in their two Premier League matches this season.
Villa is unbeaten in 2010 with two wins and three draws. Villa also does well at home, with just two losses this season. The club gives up just 0.7 goals per game at home, but needs to work on the attack with 1.6 goals per game. Man U looks strong as well with three wins, a draw and one loss in the last five. But, the road has been brutal for them. They have lost seven away games this season, despite averaging 2 goals per game and giving up a one score per game.
Man U looks to be without skipper Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic will likely start on the bench. That leaves them with central defenders Johnny Evans and Wes Brown. Villa is pretty much at full strength with Emile Heskey starting up front. Villa manager Martin O’Neill has a good record in this competition as both a player and manager. He looks to gain this first silverware since taking over at Villa Park four years ago.
Victor Chandler has Villa at 7/2 to win and 13/5 to draw. Man U’s Wayne Rooney is a 7/2 bet to score the first goal with Victor Chandler. Man U is 17/20 at Totesport. Villa is also backed at 7/2 with Boylesports and the draw is 13/5 at Bet365.
This game should be close and could even come down to the penalties. Man U was impressive in West Ham this week and should be fine if they keep that form. A possible draw or 2-1 Man U victory may be in the cards.
Boylesports also has a promotion going that will refund all losing single first, last, anytime goalscorer and scorecast bets if Man U goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar saves a penalty during any part of the game, including extra time and penalty shootouts. The Dutch keeper has 53 saves and has conceded 17 goals this season. In past Carling Cups, he has 6 and 8 saves, respectively. Refunds are in the form of a free bet to be used next weekend in the Premier League.