As the Premier League campaign passes the halfway mark, Gameweek 20 sees a pivotal few days in both the title race and a keenly-fought battle for the top-four, in a huge derby weekend.

With the Manchester and north London derbies taking centre stage, here at BestofBets we’ve been looking at some of the value punts across both games.

Starting at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime, the in-form Red Devils welcome their league-chasing noisy neighbours across town, now with just four points separating each other. United have won the last six on the spin in all comps – conceding just one goal – whilst Pep Guardiola’s men have come off the rails, suffering a shock home defeat to Brentford before the World Cup, as struggling Everton then took a point from the Etihad Stadium on New Years’ Eve.

United have beaten City in the league at the Theatre of Dreams just twice since 2015 but come into this buoyed by the continued form of Marcus Rashford and an attack which is beginning to tick in the same vein as Erik ten Hag’s Ajax side did under his prior reign. Rashford is in the form of his life in a United shirt having scored in every game of United’s latest winning run and has three Premier League goals in the derby. To make it four, Rashford is 29/10 with SpreadEx, or to combine with Erling Haaland in a double after his blank against versus Chelsea at a tasty 13/2 with Betfair.

We have documented on many occasions that this particular derby rarely favours the home team, even if City have won the last three meetings, scoring a cumulative 12 goals. Indeed, though the form book is tossed out the window on derby day, United are arguably in better shape. Therefore, a 7/2 punt on United with Bet365 and SpreadExmay represent value.

City will be tough to beat, of course, so another option to catch our eye is BoyleSports’ 6/4 offer for BTTS and no draw, meaning if either side win but both teams score, punters will be on to a winner. Meanwhile, in William Hill’s latest Epic Odds offer, for a goal to be scored in the game an evens price can be had from a monster 1/33. This could be a tight game so do we smell a classic punters trap? You be the judge.

If the Manchester derby has quite a bit riding on it, the latest instalment of the north London derby has perhaps even bigger stakes at play. With Arsenal five points clear in the standings, cynics will say a goalless draw with Newcastle might be a portent of things to come for Mikel Arteta’s men.

Though this current crop is a far stronger and flowing side, the fact remains the men from N5 have not won away at Spurs since 2014, when Tomas Rosicky’s second-minute goal was enough to scoop the three points and see Arsenal finish ahead of Spurs in the race for the top four that year. The visitors are 5/4 with SpreadEx to remedy that statistic, however, Arsenal would perhaps settle for the draw at a 14/5 punt with BetUK.

The NLD means Harry Kane of course and the England skipper and goals against Arsenal go hand-in-hand. Having netted a brace in this fixture last season, Kane has three in the last two against the Gunners and in a home game either at White Hart Lane, Wembley or The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has failed to score just once in eight meetings. After grabbing a brace against Crystal Palace, Kane will be hungry for goals and perhaps surprisingly is 9/5 with UniBet to score again.

Finally, Derby weekend double duty should also see busy afternoons for the referees in charge and with Stuart Attwell and Craig Pawson in the middle, the recipe is there for all four teams to see 20+ booking points at a combined acca of 2/1 across the two games with SkyBet.

Premier League Derby Weekend: Betting Insights

The two headline fixtures in Gameweek 20 present different storylines but linked betting themes, so a measured approach to markets and stakes is essential for anyone studying value. Please remember betting is for those aged 18+ only and should be done responsibly.

Form, Matchups and Key Statistics Ahead of Derby

Analysing recent results, shot maps, defensive records and set-piece threat helps identify which markets offer genuine value rather than headline odds that are merely eye-catching. Keep in mind injuries, rotation and manager tactics can change market relevance in the 48 hours before kick-off.

Manchester Derby: Tactical Battles and Chances

The dynamic between United’s counter-attacking shape and City’s positional play always shapes market prices, especially in goalscorer and total goals lines. When both teams show attacking intent but recent defensive solidity is in play, markets such as both teams to score, match goals over/under and chances created often offer the best measurable value.

Where To Find The Best Odds And Promotions

Price comparison tools and bookmaker lists let you check several prices at once, helping you lock in superior odds without increasing risk through larger stakes. Use comparison sites to see how small differences in price affect expected return when selecting single markets or multiples.

Rashford, Haaland and Player Goalscoring Form

Individual form is crucial for anytime goalscorer markets and more complex props; Rashford’s recent scoring run and Haaland’s overall threat suggest both players will attract market heat and shorter prices. Where prices diverge between firms, consider match context such as defensive match-ups, expected minutes and set-piece responsibility before committing.

How To Interpret Head-to-Head And Form Lines

Head-to-head history provides colour but should be weighted alongside current season metrics like expected goals (xG) and recent defensive errors, which better capture present form. Avoid overvaluing long-ago results and instead treat H2H as one factor among many when assessing market edge.

North London Derby: Key Markets and Angles

The NLD blends historical psychological edges with current season context, so markets tied to individual players, first-half outcomes and correct scorelines often move sharply. Consider live markets where bookmaker liability changes quickly, but only trade live markets if you have a disciplined staking plan.

Staying Responsible: Limits, Help And Age Rules

Betting is strictly for people aged 18 and over; set deposit limits and use time-out or self-exclusion if betting becomes a concern. If you need help, consult UK support services and remember customers should view bookmaker links for information only, not as a route to guaranteed returns.

Refereeing, Bookings and Combined Acca Considerations

Referee tendencies, recent disciplinary records and VAR involvement shape markets for cards, fouls and booking point accumulators; Attwell and Pawson’s recent game data should be factored into any booking-based bets. Accumulator strategies that combine card points across fixtures can offer value but increase variance, so cap stake sizes and avoid large, speculative multiples.

How To Manage Bankroll And Stakes Effectively

Use a staking plan that defines a unit size relative to your available gambling funds and never chase losses by increasing stakes beyond your plan. Treat bookmaker offers and boosted odds as opportunities to diversify small amounts of your normal stake rather than reasons to inflate exposure.

Combining Markets And Acca Strategy For Derby Weekend

When constructing doubles or trebles across the Manchester and north London derbies, combine independent markets where outcomes are not correlated to reduce downside clustering, and cross-check injury news before placing multiples. Smaller, well-researched accumulators outperform large, high-risk multiples over time for disciplined bettors.

Consider staking a small part of your bankroll on speculative punts while keeping the majority for low-variance selections; this balanced approach preserves long-term playability and limits sudden losses. Remember that no selection is guaranteed, and all betting carries risk.

How To Use Bookmaker Comparisons Wisely

Comparison pages are useful for finding the best price, terms and promotional eligibility, but always check expiry and stake conditions before placing a bet. If you choose to follow an offer linked from our site, do so responsibly and be aware some links are affiliate-supported.

You can explore current bookmaker offers and compare odds responsibly by visiting our free bets page at BestOfBets free bets and bookmaker offers. For readers interested in casino welcome deals, our catalogue of affiliated casino bonus offers is available at BestOfBets casino bonus offers.

How Should I Approach Betting On Derby Matches?

Focus on small, research-backed stakes that reflect current form and team news, and avoid staking more than you can afford to lose.

Are There Safer Markets For High-Stakes Fixtures?

Lower-variance markets such as match result pooled with over/under totals are generally less volatile than long-shot accumulators, but no market is risk-free.

What Role Does Referee History Play In Card Markets?

Referee averages for fouls and yellow cards can influence card markets, so check officials’ recent fixtures before placing bookings-based bets.

How Do I Compare Odds Across Bookmakers Efficiently?

Use price-comparison tools to spot the best available odds and account restrictions, and always verify terms and liquidity before clicking through to bet.

Can I Use Promotions To Improve My Expected Value?

Promotions can boost short-term value but should be used within a disciplined bankroll plan and after reading the full T&Cs.

Where Can I Get Help If Betting Feels Out Of Control?

If you’re worried about your gambling, seek support from UK organisations such as GamCare and use bookmaker self-exclusion or limit tools; betting is 18+ only.

Do You Recommend Betting On Both Derbies In The Same Acca?

Combining the two derbies can be tempting but increases variance; if you do combine, keep stakes small and avoid correlated markets that amplify risk.