After Lionel Messi’s Argentina got their hands on the World Cup trophy in Qatar, club football is set to return to action after a six-week break, with plenty still left to play for in club season.
Manchester United and Manchester City will come back to domestic proceedings for their League Cup encounter against Burnley and Liverpool, respectively, with the betting odds favouring the Manchester duo. If you are betting on football this week, use this netbet sign up offer to help you get started.
The League Cup action should serve to get both sides into shape for a long-awaited Premier League return on Boxing Day and the congested fixture schedule during the festive period.
Much of both sides’ lofty ambitions on multiple fronts will likely depend on their results in the upcoming weeks as we take a look at their chances of lifting any pieces of silverware this term.
Manchester United
Man Utd’s second-string side may have underperformed during the mid-season break, but with their World Cup stars back to the fold, Erik ten Hag will be seeking a clear-cut League Cup win over Burnley on Wednesday.
Despite registering a decent 71% unbeaten ratio across the opening 14 Premier League rounds (W8, D2, L4), the Red Devils’ situation in England’s top flight doesn’t look promising.
Stuck on the periphery of the Champions League spots, only three points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, Man Utd have massively struggled with inconsistent performances this term.
While there’s no point talking about their chances of catching up with pacesetters Arsenal, who are already a whopping 11 points up, ten Hag can still hope to avoid a trophyless maiden season at Old Trafford.
Lifting the Europa League trophy would offer United a perfect alternative way into next season’s Champions League group stages. Yet they’ll have to overcome Barcelona in a mouth-watering knockout tie in February.
Though Xavi Hernandez’s men hold the favourite tag, the Catalan heavyweights haven’t fared well in Europe this season, as witnessed by their embarrassing group-stage elimination in the Champions League.
Exiting the Europa League at such an early stage would be a blow for ten Hag’s bid to prove his credentials in one of the hottest seats in European football, but backing him to beat Barcelona doesn’t have much sense.
Man Utd can always rely on domestic cup competitions to give the devastating Theatre of Dreams fanbase something to cheer about, but that’s pretty much everything the Red Devils can expect this term.
Manchester City
Inspired by marquee summer signing Erling Haaland, defending Premier League champions Man City have enjoyed an outrageous start to the new league campaign (W10, D2, L2).
Unfortunately, not even Haaland’s stellar scoring exploits have been sufficient to help the Cityzens enter the World Cup break at the summit, with high-flying Arsenal leaving them five points behind.
Given the Gunners’ well-documented propensity for running out of steam as the season progresses, a five-point gap looks bridgeable, especially for a side of Man City’s calibre.
With over half a season left to play, Pep Guardiola’s star-studded squad has more than enough time to close the distance and lift the third Premier League title in a row.
However, conquering the most prestigious club competition in England for the fifth time in six years would unlikely settle the nerves of the ambitious club owners, who are still seeking the elusive Champions League crown.
Indeed, the sole purpose of Haaland’s arrival at the Etihad Stadium has been to acquire a catalyst to turn Man City’s fortunes in Europe and help the club achieve its long-term goal.
Drawn against RB Leipzig in the competition’s round of 16, the Cityzens should make it to the quarter-finals for the sixth year running, but the problems tend to pop up from there on.
With Haaland firing on all cylinders, there’s a feeling this could be Man City’s season in the Champions League.
