Right Said Fred: Talking Betting With BetFred Boss Fred Done

The title may be out of reach, in my mind at least, but we can still paint Manchester red this weekend.

Some might say it’s too early to label the title race done and dusted, but the fact is City will be AT LEAST 12 points clear of second when this column goes live – I am writing this before United and Leicester’s trips to Palace and Burnley on Wednesday night.

Even if United win on Sunday, the gap would be at best nine points with 10 games to go – while not impossible, that would require some capitulation from our noisy neighbours.

I’m sure Ole will be telling his players that you never know in football, but United dropping points against Everton, West Bromwich Albion and more recently Chelsea has well and truly halted our title charge.

Regardless, all eyes will be on the Etihad this weekend, and Betfred have City 4/7 favourites to win the derby and make it an unprecedented 22 wins in a row in all competitions, while United are 5/1 to end that run on Sunday.

I think a draw at 16/5 is a cracking shout, given United’s well-documented record against the ‘big six’ this season.

The reverse fixture at Old Trafford was 0-0 – which is 12/1 with Betfred – but I hope we’ll see plenty of goals this time!

For our own health, I think us Reds need to forget winning the league this season and focus on finishing best of the rest and winning a trophy with a great chance in the FA Cup and in Europe.

Before the season, if I was told United would finish second and win either the FA Cup or Europa League – or ideally both - I’d have snapped your hand off! 

We haven’t finished in the top four in consecutive seasons for too long now, so if we manage to achieve that this year then it’s certainly a step in the right direction.

It’s important to remember how far this side have come under Ole, and I do still think we can improve with some reinforcements in the summer.

We’ve been linked recently with Raphael Varane of Real Madrid, who we narrowly missed out on under Fergie, and he would be a brilliant addition to the heart of our backline alongside Harry Maguire.

A defensive midfielder and a striker would be next on my wish list – but wouldn’t it be nice to see Jadon Sancho back in Manchester!