Premier League: Manchester City v Manchester United odds dead even at online sportsbooks

The famous Manchester rivalry in the British Premiership goes off Wednesday night as United takes on City at Eastlands: United’s biggest problem, however, seems to be a menacing flu bug that’s taken out a few players since the team’s return from Turkey.

Though public opinion favors United, online sportsbooks Paddy Power and Ladbrokes see the derby match at dead-even odds for either team. Paddy Power has the slightly longer odds, with both City and United posted at 17/10 odds to win; Ladbrokes offers 13/8. If you believe in United in this game, go to bet365, which sees a slight difference and posts Manchester City at 13/8 and the Red Devils at a most generous 7/4.

The teams have had quite a number of memorable matches in the immediate past, including tense 1-0 and 4-3 matches in Premiership play, plus wins for either side in the 2009 Carling Cup. Still an object of derision to Devils fans is Carlos Tevez, who switched to the City side after the 2009 season. Tevez is the favorite to score first by Ladbrokes – surely to massive adulation by the home fans – at 9/2, while Emmanuel Adebayor, Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez are bunched up at 5/1.

The tricky part of that proposition bet, though, is the question of who’s going to play at all. On Tuesday, several players were sent home from practice with flu symptoms. Plus, Ryan Giggs and Owen Hargreaves are both out; Wayne Rooney, Antonio Valencia, Michael Owen and Anderson will not play. Whatever sort of offense Sir Alex Ferguson assembles, it will be somewhat patchwork.

For betting on this match and all the other Premier League games, go with Jackpot Finder-recommended bet365, PaddyPower and Ladbrokes: All offer trusted names, quality wager offerings and live in-game betting.