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betting » Previews » FA Cup 2011 - Semifinal - Manchester Derby In Wembley

FA Cup 2011 - Semifinal - Manchester derby in Wembley

By Joe, BettingExpert.com | Edited

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Berbatov CityManchester United without Wayne Rooney and Manchester City with Carlos Tevez will not deter the Manchester Derby held at Wembley for the FA Semifinal this weekend. Berbatov is emerging as the one to take United into their second treble under Alex Ferguson and with a win, they could meet either Bolton or Stoke City in the FA Cup Final.

 

 

Manchester United vs. Manchester City

 

The first of the two FA Cup semi-final matches held at Wembley will start with a clash between two Manchester clubs from up north. Their feud will once again spark the question of who will end up with silverware this season and Manchester United are heading in that department as the treble is still intact. Neighbours City have only the FA Cup as their last chance to lifting some silverware.

 

Manchester United are looking to take full advantage of their sub-standard season but somehow still in contention for a second treble under Sir Alex Ferguson. The Red half of Manchester must have the bragging rights of the two and in four occasions, United are unbeaten against the sky blues. This is certainly a boost as they will be without an inform Wayne Rooney who made the difference the last time they met. Even without Rooney, United is still able to put out a strong team with Dimitar Berbatov set to return while Jonny Evans and Darren Fletcher are unavailable. Never the less, both Mexican Hernandez and Ji Sung Park have given Ferguson more variation in their play and both players are not lacking in confidence in front of goal.

 

City might have the money but even with lots of money they can’t buy success at this rate. The expectations for the sky blues to challenge United have been a open affair desire from the owners since they took over, but that hasn’t materialized yet. Although a win over United in the FA Cup could ease the pain and holding on to the champions league would be a step to the right direction but in a slow pace rather than the fast pace which Chelsea showed in the past. Manager Roberto Mancini was left empty at Anfield this week where he didn’t just lose a game but also lost Carlos Tevez to an serious injury. Now it is left to Balotelli and Dzeko to fire City into the final where either Bolton or Stoke City awaits them. Micash Richards is doubtful but could return to a side that needs defenders that can defend as K. Toure is still suspended. Mancini might have an established squad but when it comes to confidence, he will need to say or do something that will get his players fired up at Wembley.

 

One game, take it or leave it and the winner are most likely to be favourite to win the FA Cup this season. United always have a strong 2nd half of the English season and that is evident in their progression in every tournament they are in, they beat Liverpool and Arsenal along the way so City could be another one on the list. City is hungry for some silverware and without their influential captain, they could be lost on the field and Wembley is not a place for those who can’t stomach the big occasions.

 

 

Bolton vs. Stoke City

 

The other semi-finals also between two northern clubs will also travel miles to play their one-off game at Wembley but on Sunday. Bolton will be eyeing up for their first appearance in the FA Cup final since 1958 and who better to lead them there than Bolton’s very own home grown Owen Coyle. The only concerns for Coyle is that he is unable to use Daniel Sturridge who is ineligible and that would be a blow for them as he hit two goals in the last weekend home win over West Ham in the Premiership. Either Rodrigo Moreno or Ivan Klasnic will get the nod. Bolton might not have being seen as a favourite for the FA Cup but clearly their football has been exciting during certain periods of time and with their stingy defending, they are a cup team in the making.

 

Stoke City will see this as an opportunity to get into Europe under Manager Tony Pulis. The Potters boss has put alot of effort into Stoke City surviving the Premiership and also given much hope as his side have been able to compete with the top half of the Premiership on occasions at home. Stoke City will be without veteran stoke defender Danny Higginbotham who is out with a cruciate knee ligament while John Carew is doubtful. Matthew Etherington is definitely one of the players that are in form and can help Stoke City get into their first FA Cup final.

 

This is very much anyone’s final because both teams are on even grounds. In the Premiership, they have met twice and shared the win for whoever is hosting on the day. Both teams playing away from home are also equally bad on foreign soil so there isn’t much to distinguish amongst the two teams.  So it will be a game of mistakes, the first one that buckles will certainly be the other team’s advantage. There you have it, Stoke or Bolton, flip a coin , I say.



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betting » Previews » FA Cup 2011 - Semifinal - Manchester Derby In Wembley