Derby is title decider – KK

Former Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan thinks the outcome of Monday’s Manchester derby will determine the destination of the Premier League trophy (United 4/9, City 7/4 – Premier League Outright with bet365).

City will head into the clash at Eastlands three points behind the table-topping Red Devils but with a superior goal difference and victory would see them leapfrog their bitter rivals and take top spot (City 11/10, United 12/5, draw 5/2 – Match Prices with bet365).

They then have to play Newcastle United at the Sports Direct Arena before welcoming Queens Park Rangers to the Etihad Stadium on the final day of the season.

United will host Swansea following the derby clash and face a tricky trip to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light to conclude proceedings on May 13.

Keegan, who was in charge at City between 2001 and 2005, feels nothing less than three points will do for his old side next Monday and has backed them to go on and win the title if they do manage to take care of Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.

“City must win the game. If they win it, they’re the favourites,” he told BBC Radio Manchester. “I think they will go to Newcastle, tough as it will be, and if they need that result to win the league, they will get that result.”

However, the former Newcastle boss still feels that United are in the driving seat as they already have the points on the board, adding: “United are still slight favourites because a draw or a win at the Etihad and it’s over.”

Scots learn Cup fate

The Old Firm have been kept apart following the draw for the fifth round of the Scottish Cup, with Rangers facing Dundee United and Celtic taking on Inverness or Dunfermline (Celtic 4/11f – SPL Outright with bet365).

The Gers were 4-0 winners at Arbroath on Sunday while the Bhoys saw off Peterhead 3-0 at Balmoor thanks to an Anthony Stokes hat-trick.

Motherwell, who are currently third in the Scottish Premier League, will take on Morton at home while  fourth-placed Hearts face St Johnstone, also on their own patch (Motherwell 1/2 – SPL Outright without Celtic and Rangers with bet365).

Full fifth-round draw:
Hibernian v Dundee/Kilmarnock
Motherwell v Morton
St Mirren/Hamilton v Ross County
Inverness/Dunfermline v Celtic
Ayr v Falkirk
Rangers v Dundee Utd
Hearts v St Johnstone
Aberdeen v Queen of the South

The games will be played on the weekend of February 4/5.

Levy makes Bale sale pledge

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has rubbished talk Gareth Bale could be sold, claiming Spurs (2/1 – Top Four finish with Stan James) are unlikely to do much business in the upcoming transfer window.

The Wales international has caught the eye of some of the biggest clubs in Europe with his performances this season, with the likes of Real Madrid and Inter Milan thought to be monitoring his progress.

The 21-year-old impressed against the current European champions Inter during the group stages of the Champions League, scoring a hat-trick in the San Siro before tearing full-back Maicon apart in the return leg.

With Spurs having cashed in on the likes of Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Carrick in the past there is a fear amongst Tottenham fans that they could do the same again.

However, Levy has moved to quell any speculation linking Bale with a move, insisting they aren’t a selling club and will be keeping the winger.

“I’ve never deemed us to be a selling club, if you look at the big transfers which have taken place since I’ve been chairman,” he said.

“Both (Dimitar) Berbatov and Michael Carrick had two years left on their contract, both players wanted to go and that was the reason they were sold.

“But in the case of Gareth he’s got a long contract and I can assure you he will not be sold.”

The Tottenham chairman went on to say that the club wouldn’t be doing much business during the January transfer window, despite rumours linking the north London outfit with a new defender and striker.

However, Levy did hint that they could be trimming the Spurs (18/1 – Champions League outright with Stan James) squad, with the likes of David Bentley, Niko Kranjcar and Robbie Keane all linked with moves away.