Weekend Review: City's slump persists after Amad ending to Manchester derby

Manchester United (9/2) came from behind to beat local rivals Manchester City (1/2) 2-1 in a thrilling end to Sunday’s Manchester derby.  

City took the lead through a Joško Gvardiol header in the first half, before Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty won by Amad Diallo with two minutes left to play.  

Diallo went one step further 115 seconds later, rounding Ederson and finishing from a tight angle to give Ruben Amorim’s side all three points at the death.  

United had been matched at 94/1 on the Betfair Exchange before Fernandes levelled the game late on.

The game leaves champions Manchester City with just one win in their last 11 games in all competitions, while United secured their first away win at a ‘big six’ rival since 2021.  

Kindred Group’s Ali Gill explained how the derby helped bettors come out on top, saying: “A great weekend our side in the Premier League as results almost en masse fell our way.  

“An astonishing late collapse from City in the Manchester derby was actually one for the punters, although only just, both teams scoring, goals line beaten and value being sought on the 1X2 while City are in their worst slump in recent memory meant we came out minimally in the red there.” 

Chelsea (9/25) had the best weekend of the title chasing pack, beating Brentford (6/1) 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.  

Fellow challengers Arsenal (1/5) and Liverpool (7/25) both stumbled at home, drawing 0-0 with Everton (12/1) and 2-2 with Fulham (8/1), respectively.  

The weekend also saw two managerial casualties following home defeats. Gary O’Neil was relieved of his duties at Wolverhampton Wanderers (19/20) after his side conceded a last-minute winner in a 2-1 defeat by Ipswich (11/4). 

Southampton (16/5) also parted ways with manager Russell Martin after a 5-0 thumping at the hands of Tottenham (3/4) on Sunday evening. 

Newcastle (1/4) scored four without reply at home to Leicester (8/1), Nottingham Forest (7/4) came from behind to beat Aston Villa (7/4) 2-1 at home, while Crystal Palace (16/5) ran out 3-1 winners away at Brighton (19/20). 

Jake Ashton, sports betting expert at OLBG, commented on how the weekend’s results affected the odds for both the title race and the managerial sack race.  

He said: “City’s latest defeat now sees [manager Pep] Guardiola shorten into second favourite (7/1) to be the next manager to leave with both Gary O’Neil and Russell Martin sacked from Wolves and Southampton, respectively, on Sunday. 

“Champions City are now out to 16/1 to defend their title after Sunday’s loss saw them fail to take advantage of both Liverpool and Arsenal dropping points at the weekend, with Chelsea now firmly in the Premier League title race as 7/2 second favourites.” 

Meanwhile, across Europe, Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich (1/2) fell to a shock defeat after losing 2-1 away at Mainz.  

Second placed Bayer Leverkusen (11/20) closed the gap at the top to four points after beating Augsburg 2-0 away from home, while Borussia Dortmund (9/25) were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Hoffenheim.  

In Spain, table-topping Barcelona (9/100) were stunned by a 1-0 home defeat against Leganes.  

Jude Bellingham got on the scoresheet for Real Madrid (1/2) in their 3-3 draw against Rayo Vallecano, while Atletico Madrid (9/25) enjoyed a 1-0 home win against Getafe.  

In Italy, AC Milan (1/ 2) and Juventus (9/25) were held to draws at home to Genoa and Venezia, respectively, while Napoli (3 /4) won 3-1 away at Udinese. 

Bet365’s Steve Freeth highlighted a good weekend for bookmakers in terms of results across Europe.  

He said: “I wouldn’t say the 2024/25 campaign has been the ‘season to be jolly’ but we had an early Christmas present on Saturday with hot-pots galore getting turned over in what was our best day of the season so far.  

“Misfiring Arsenal at 2/9 and 2/7 Liverpool had us in good spirits and it was a similar story in Europe. 8/15 Bayern Munich lost at Mainz, 2/5 Juventus drew with Venezia in Serie A and 8/15 Madrid drew at Rayo Vallecano, although we did pay out on the hosts when they went 2-0 up and a high-scoring game with Jude Bellingham on target is always good for bet builder punters. 

“We finished Sunday night with 1/9 Barcelona losing at home to Leganes and 8/15 Milan drawing 0-0 with Genoa in what was a crazy weekend of results.” 

Elsewhere, in horseracing, Wodhooh (10/1) won the BetMGM Mares’ Handicap Hurdle, beating second-placed favourite Joyeuse (5/2) and Take No Chances (9/2).  

The Harry Cobden-ridden Liberty Hunter (7/2) came first in the BetMGM Handicap Chase ahead of Issar d’airy (5/2) and Master Chewy (5/2).  

At Fairyhouse, evens favourite Majborough won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase, holding off Tullyhill (3/1) and Asian Master (2/1).  

Betfred’s Alan Firkins said: Winner-finding in Saturday’s big TV races especially was difficult, so the racing desk were on good terms with themselves.  

“Meanwhile Majborough, representing Willie Mullins and JP McManus, was an impressive winner of a beginners’ chase at Fairyhouse and has been cut to 4/1 for the Arkle at the Festival in March.” 

Lastly, in darts, Luke Humphries began his defence of the World Darts Championship with a 3-0 victory over Thibault Tricole on the competition’s opening night.  

Firkins added: “The World Darts will dominate for the next couple of weeks, with only two players in single figures betting-wise in the outright market.  

“Teenage sensation Luke Littler is 15/8, Luke Humphries 3/1, and it’s 10s bar which takes in MVG at a tempting-looking 11/1.”