Football
Derek Bilton, ESPN.co.uk betting writer 4y

Can Aguero break Old Trafford goal record in Manchester derby?

Liverpool's 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Chelsea was their third in four games in all competitions and sunk our midweek banker bet. The focus shifts back to the Premier League this weekend with Sunday's Manchester derby among the highlights.

Running total: -£92.92

The Banker

Manchester United are unbeaten in their last eight matches (going into Thursday's FA Cup clash at Derby) but still start as 17/4 underdogs for Sunday's Manchester derby. The Red Devils have won three of their last six meetings against the Citizens and, with new signing Bruno Fernandes having hit the ground running, the home win will be a popular bet this weekend.

If they are to get the job done though, United will need to keep the shackles on a certain Argentine. Sergio Aguero has struck four times in Premier League fixtures at Old Trafford, and will have his eye on equalling another record this weekend. The Argentine knows a goal against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men would equal the highest total for Premier League goals scored by a visiting player at the Theatre of Dreams, currently held by former Liverpool great Stevie Gerrard (5).

Pep Guardiola's men are heavy 11/20 favourites on Sunday but have only won five of their last nine top-flight away games. With this in mind the Red Devils could be worth a go at 3/1 'Draw No Bet', meaning stakes would be returned if it finished level.

Selection: £4 on Manchester United to win (Draw No Bet) at 3/1 with bet365.

The First-Goal Flutter

West Ham have conceded 15 goals in their last six league games while the Gunners have scored at least three goals in 12 of their last 16 Premier League matches against the Hammers. With this in mind we wouldn't put anybody off having a small wager on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring first at 5/2. Despite Arsenal's struggles this season Auba has still managed to weigh in with 17 goals in 25 games.

Selection: £2 on Aubameyang to score first at 5/2 with bet365.

The Tasty Treble

Chelsea, fresh off the back of their FA Cup win over Liverpool, return to Premier League action and face Merseyside opposition again this Sunday. Everton are in town though Carlo Ancelotti will not be in the dugout as he serves a one-match touchline ban. Frank Lampard's men are in the box seat in terms of a top-four finish but there is a fragility about them this season and both teams to score here at 7/10 should land without much fuss.

Elsewhere Southampton's recent form has been iffy (lost four of their last six in the league) but they should still get the job done against a Newcastle side who've not scored in four consecutive Premier League games. The Saints are a 3/5 chance with bet365 and should get the job done on the south coast.

Finally, Wolves are on a roll and are eyeing a top four finish themselves as things stand. They should be too hot for Brighton but the Seagulls - who have scored in nine of their last 10 away games - can score a consolation so Wolves & BTTS looks a bet at Molineux at 11/4. The treble pays just over 9/1 with bet365.

Selection: £4 on the treble at 9.2/1 with bet365.

The Euro Wager

Barcelona were knocked off the top of La Liga by Real Madrid last weekend so badly need to get their title push back on track and face an intriguing test against Real Sociedad on Saturday. La Real are enjoying a decent season and are sixth (with a game in hand on the rest of the top five). The Blaugrana meanwhile have won 12 of their 13 home games so far, but have conceded in nine of those matches at the Camp Nou so 7/5 about a Barca win and both teams finding the net looks a reasonable shout.

Selection: £5 on Barcelona to win and both teams to score at 7/5 with bet365.

The Wildcard Tip

The Premier League coupon has thrown up some tasty prices this weekend but Burnley to beat Tottenham could be the pick of the bunch. With both of their main strikers sidelined, Spurs have been struggling. They had lost three on the spin before Wednesday's painful FA Cup exit against Norwich City, and while the goals have dried up they are still shipping plenty.

Burnley have had a free week to prepare for this and are unbeaten in their last six. Their goalless draw with Newcastle last time out was admittedly a bit of a shocker in terms of entertainment but unlike Spurs, they have momentum on their side.

The expensive Jose Mourinho experiment hasn't failed yet, but the London giants are floundering and this really isn't good enough -- even considering their injuries. Given the fact Spurs are struggling for goals and the Clarets have conceded only once in their previous five fixtures, Burnley look live underdogs here.

Selection: £2 on Burnley to win and Under 2.5 goals at 9/2 with bet365.

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