Big spending Manchester City head the outright betting at 5/1 for Europa League glory in Bucharest in May, which is hardly a surprise given the riches at manager Roberto Mancini’s disposal.

However, the question is how seriously will the Premier League leaders be taking this competition, given the way their season has gone so far.

When they were banging in goals for fun and thumping title challengers Manchester United and Spurs away, the talk was about winning every competition they were in.

However, they have been knocked out of the Champions League at the first opportunity, albeit from a tough looking group, were knocked out of the FA Cup (again as early as possible) while they fell at the semi-final stage in the Carling Cup.

Despite a magnificent start to the Premier League campaign, the Citizens have not run away with it as yet, particularly as they have been far from consistent in 2012.

Mancini’s men take on defending champions FC Porto in the first leg of their last-32 clash at the Estadio do Dragao on Thursday, with the Portuguese giants as, if not more, disappointed that they failed to make it further in the Champions League.

Porto’s home form was the principal reason for their failure to get out of Group G, just one win and two draws to finish behind APOEL FC and Zenit St Petersburg.

This is perhaps reflected in the match betting with both sides available at 13/8 to take a first-leg advantage, while the draw is on offer at 23/10.

Mancini will have the Toure brothers back from African Nations Cup duty to bolster the ranks, while Mario Balotelli is available despite his domestic ban.

But whether the Italian tactician decides to go with his fringe players remains to be seen, although his squad is arguably the strongest in Europe.

However, indifferent away form has been the problem of late and Porto are likely to go all out for the win to maintain the defence of their trophy, with Hulk (6/1 First/Last Goalscorer) leading the charge up front.

United, 7/1 outright second favourites, have named a strong-looking squad as they make their bow in Europe’s second tier competition, although Ryan Giggs, Dimitar Berbatov and Patrice Evra have been left at home.

The Red Devils did not appear to have the toughest of groups in the Champions League but still failed to progress with a 2-1 defeat in Basel condemning them to a place in the Europa League.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men take on another Champions League drop-out, although Ajax were far from disgraced in their failure to progress, only losing out on goal difference to Lyon in a group which also included Real Madrid.

The betting suggests that this is a foregone conclusion with United odds on favourites at 5/6 to win at the Amsterdam Arena, with Ajax available at 10/3 and the draw at 5/2.

United have improved their form of late to remain in Premier League contention but it is still taking something of a chance backing them at the prices, given only one away victory in Europe this year – and that was 2-0 at group whipping boys Otelul Galati.

Ajax are not the force they once were but, with the draw of United, the players will no doubt be up for this one and it is set to be a tight affair.

Stoke have surprised a few in getting this far and their reward is a tough draw against Spanish giants Valencia, who consolidated third place in La Liga with a 4-0 demotion of Sporting Gijon.

Stoke’s form has been poor of late, losing their last three games, but they did enjoy dominance at the Britannia in Europe before Christmas, winning two and drawing one in Group E.

Valencia’s form on their travels in the Champions League cost them progression but they have enjoyed previous success in this competition and, as the third best side in Spain, obviously are no mugs.

It will be a real contrast of styles and although Valencia have been installed as the 6/4 favourites in the match betting, Stoke (7/4) can take something into the second leg – albeit a draw, priced at 23/10.

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Manchester United

The Red Devils, who scooped all three major trophies in 1999, will have to play at the remodelled ‘home of football’ three times in the next six weeks if they are to repeat their historic feat while neighbours City would be happy to earn one more trip back as they bid to end a trophyless drought of 35 years (11/5 Manchester City in FA Cup Outright).

Ferguson has got the unshakeable belief that his class of 2011 can do it, while the presence of ‘99 veterans Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs can only enhance the confidence within the dressing room that has been recently buoyed by the return to fitness of Rio Ferdinand.

The England centre back has never won the FA Cup and is desperate to keep his place in the United line-up, despite picking up a knock in Tuesday night’s Champions League win over Chelsea.

Ferguson has declared an almost fully-fit squad for the Wembley clash with only Darren Fletcher (virus) and Wayne Rooney (suspended) absent from those regulars who would have certainly played.

Dimitar Berbatov (11/2 First Goalscorer), who missed the decisive penalty as United crashed out to Everton at this stage two years ago, will probably be given a chance to earn his redemption by Ferguson, although the Bulgarian’s 20 Premier League goals so far this term have already done that for most fans.

Antonio Valencia (10/1) is another anticipated change to the midweek line-up while ferguson hinted that midfielder Anderson is back in his plans after coming through an hour of reserve team action on Wednesday night.

City are without 19-goal leading scorer Carlos Tevez after he sustained an untimely hamstring injury against Liverpool on Monday night, leaving boss Roberto Mancini with a dilemma over who he entrusts with the task of leading the forward line.

Out of form January signing Edin Dzeko (15/2 First Goalscorer) was jeered by City fans at Anfield as he struggled to get into the game while unpredictable summer recruit Mario Balotelli (7/1) still flatters to deceive more often than not.

Mancini can recall defender Micah Richards and you can bet Nigel de Jong starts after inexplicably being left out on Monday.

The Dutchman’s presence in midfield will ensure City have some bite and presence in an area where they were steamrollered by Liverpool in the first half.

History shows that there tend to be few goals when these two sides meet – the scorelines have been 2-1, 3-1, 0-1, 0-0 and 2-1 since Mancini took charge with City winning his first derby at the helm.

And with no Rooney or Tevez to provide a flash of brilliance to break the deadlock a half-time draw (8/5 0-0 in HT Score) and a low scoring affair (4/6 Under 2.5 Goals) look highly likely.

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Liverpool

The game of the day gets underway on Merseyside at 1.30pm as Liverpool play host to United with Ferguson’s side aiming to win their 19th league title (8/13 Outright) this season which would see them pull one clear of Liverpool. And, while Dalglish’s men still harbour slim hopes of securing a top-four finish (10/1), they will no doubt take great delight in trying to halt their big rivals?’ championship mission.

Chelsea’s 2-1 win against United on Tuesday opened up the title race and Ferguson will be looking for his side to slam the door shut as quickly as possible, starting at Anfield.

However, the Scot is not helped by the continued injury absence of Rio Ferdinand, while his other first-choice central defender, Nemanja Vidic, is banned after seeing red at Stamford Bridge.

Therefore, young rookie Chris Smalling will be partnered by Wes Brown at the back which could hand Liverpool a great opportunity to strike a blow to the Red Devils.

It will be also a special day for Ryan Giggs as he will be making a club record 607th league appearance and he is 3/1 to score at anytime in the game.

Dalglish has been hit by the loss of Martin Kelly due to a torn hamstring, but Raul Meireles should shake off a knee injury and £35million January signing Andy Carroll could be handed his debut at some point after his recovery from a long-term thigh problem.

Liverpool have won their last two home games against United, while Dalglish’s last home match in charge of Liverpool against Fergie’s United ended in a 4-0 win back in September 1990.

However, Ferguson has the edge over Dalglish in league meetings to date, while his side have won five of their last seven league games and will be aiming to make it six on Sunday.

Prediction: Liverpool To Win @ 7/4
Value Bet: Correct Score Liverpool 2-1 Man United @ 9/1.

WOLVES V TOTTENHAM

The later 4pm game on Sunday sees a near top-versus bottom scenario taking place at Molineux as Wolves will look to continue their good home record against the Premier League’s big boys when Tottenham arrive in town.

Mick McCarthy’s men have defeated Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United on home soil so Spurs boss Harry Redknapp will not want to his side added to that list of scalps.

However the Londoners, who are looking to keep their bid for a second successive top-four finish alive (Spurs 6/5), will be again without Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart, although they hope to have them back for the Champions League tie against AC Milan in midweek.

Wolves’ hopes of securing three points which could take them out of the relegation zone (4/7 To Stay Up) will not be helped by the loss of loan star Jamie O’Hara, who is ineligible to face his parent club.

Steven Mouyokolo and Ronald Zubar are ruled out with injury while Dave Edwards and Dave Jones are doubts, but Stephen Hunt is fit again.

Victory for Wolves would see them record three consecutive top-flight home wins for the first time in over 30 years, but they have their work cut out against a Spurs side that has won six games on the road so far this term – the second best record in the Premier League behind Arsenal’s seven.

Wolves chances of coming out on top could be helped by Tottenham having one eye on Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg against AC Milan at White Hart Lane which they start with a 1-0 lead from the first leg.

Prediction: 90 Minutes Draw @ 23/10
Value Bet: Scorecast Kevin Doyle 1st Goal Wolves 1-1 Spurs @ 33/1.

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Giovanni Trapattoni’s men were denied by a William Gallas goal just when extra time loomed in Paris although Thierry Henry’s blatant handball in the build-up was clear for all to see – apart from the match officials.

Justice was seemingly done, however, in South Africa when Les Bleus internally combusted and found themselves on the way home following a dismal group campaign which saw them beaten by both Mexico and the host nation.

The Republic will be hoping their fortunes are heading in the opposite direction as they bid to reach Poland and Ukraine in two years for the 14th European Championships – a tournament they have featured in just once back in 1988 when they beat England 1-0 in the group stage but failed to qualify for the semi-finals (Republic of Ireland 3/1 – To Win Qualification Group B).

Twelve years on Keane is hoping the potential the side has shown under Trapattoni – the Republic twice held then world champions Italy in 2010 World Cup qualifying – comes to fruition.

However, the Spurs forward admits sweltering conditions in Armenia on Friday night will be testing and that avoiding defeat is the “most important thing”.

Keane said: “With the experience we have now, of course it is only going to make you a better team.

“The more experience you have, the better you are and hopefully the experience we had in the last campaign will stand us in good stead for this one.”

He added: “The most important thing is not to lose. It’s the first game and of course, you want to win every game you are involved in, and that will be the case.

“We are not going to come here looking to get a draw. We want to win the game.

“But the most important thing is certainly not to lose the game.”

Keane will win his 101st international cap in Armenia – his next big target is to score the seven goals needed to hit the half-century mark on the biggest stage – although he appears to be relieved the appearance milestone has been passed after notching a ton of games against Argentina recently.

The 30-year-old continued: “It was great to get the 100th cap but personally I am delighted that’s gone now, just to get it over with and concentrate on the rest of the games.

“We had a great chance in the last campaign – obviously, we just missed out, but hopefully that will make us stronger and more determined now to qualify.”

Elsewhere in Euro qualification Group B, Russia (8/13f – to top the group) travel to Andorra (2500/1) while Slovakia (19/5) entertain Macedonia (20/1).

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