Carling Cup: Leeds United v Manchester United Odds and Betting Preview

LEEDS, UK - Leeds United host Premier League champions Manchester United at Elland Road on Tuesday night in the Third Round of the Carling Cup.

The Red Devils have won the competition twice in the previous three years and Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have been chalked up as the 5/1 favourites to win the competition again by William Hill and Stan James.

Leeds are 6/1 outsiders with Victor Chandler to delight their fans with a home win, whereas a stalemate would herald extra time at 100/30 with bet365. Unsurprisingly, Manchester United are the overwhelming favourites, despite being away from home, and can be backed at an industry-best of 4/7 with Coral.

Tensions are likely to be running high at Elland Road given the long-standing rivalry between the two sets of fans, but West Yorkshire Police have warned fans that any troublemakers will be dealt with stringently and could face being barred from travelling to the Euro 2012 Championships.

The correct score betting market revolves around a Manchester United win, with the most likely scoreline being 2-0 to Manchester at 8/1 with Ladbrokes. Alternatively 2-1 and 1-0 away wins can be backed at 7/1 and 9/1 respectively with Sky Bet. A 1-1 draw is at a stand-out 17/2 with William Hill, but Leeds fans will be dreaming about a 1-0 victory at 22/1 with Blue Square.

Given that Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Nani are all out of the Leeds trip, it is the young Federico Macheda who heads the first goalscorer betting at 11/2 with Paddy Power. Javier Hernandez could be out of action for two weeks following a horror tackle from Ashley Cole at Old Trafford, so the other obvious first goalscorer bet is Dimitar Berbatov at a best price of 6/1 with bet365.

Leeds’ best hope is through Becchio, who is 9/1 with Ladbrokes to open the scoring at Elland Road. At bigger prices Jonathon Howson and Robert Snodgrass (pictured) could be tasty wagers at 14/1 for the home side if they are confirmed in the starting line-up.

Manchester United are bringing 3,000 fans to Elland Road, and they would all be delighted if their beloved team opened the scoring in the first half and coasted to a smooth victory. Manchester United/Manchester United in the half-time/full-time betting is a popular wager at 11/8 with Boylesports and Draw/ Manchester United is another possibility at 7/2 with William Hill. Leeds/Leeds can be found at 10/1, although it is as short as 8/1 with Victor Chandler.

Finally is it 14/1 with Paddy Power that Leeds win on a penalty shoot-out and 9/10 with Victor Chandler that they win the first throw in.

The match kicks off at 7.45pm on Tuesday 20 September, and is live for UK viewers on Sky Sports HD 2.

Leeds United v Manchester United Match Odds

Leeds United v Manchester United First Goalscorer Odds

Leeds United v Manchester United HT/FT Odds

Leeds United v Manchester United Asian Handicap Odds

Carling Cup 2011/12 Winner Odds