At first glance most people would agree that a Lay bet on Man United in the Carling Cup final today is an insane idea and waste of money. However, Fergusen has stated he will continue to use his second string as the starting line up keeping Ronaldo and Rooney in reserve.

It was only a few weeks ago that the same line up crashed 1-0 at Derby.

Spurs are a much better team and will be far harder opposition than Derby and Harry Rednapp will provide all the motivation needed to ensure the Spurs team are "up for it".

So, here's the thing. I don't expect Man United to lose, but I DO expect they will have a tough battle to the finish line.

Carling Cup Final
Venue: Wembley Stadium Date: Sunday, 1 March Kick-off: 1500 GMT

Tottenham (from): Gomes, Alnwick, Corluka, Assou-Ekotto, Woodgate, King, Bentley, Jenas, Modric, Zokora, Lennon, Pavyluchenko, Bent, O'Hara, Huddlestone, Bale, Dawson, Gunter, Giovani, Taarabt.

Man Utd (from): Foster, Kuszczak, Neville, Fabio, Gibson, Evans, Vidic, Ferdinand, O'Shea, Evra, Welbeck, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Park, Scholes, Nani, Ronaldo, Giggs, Tevez, Rooney.

This could turn out to be a classic. Man United seem to be taking things easy by only travelling down 24 hours before kickoff, while Spurs were in training yesterday.

45 minutes to go before kickoff and Back United is 1.79 so, in theory I could trade the original bet and go green. However, this would only return a few pence profit.

I'll stick to my current position and hope they go in 0-0 at halftime.

Just to fill in time before the main event I took a small punt on the Bolton v Newcastle game. With 15 minutes to go, Bolton are 1-0 up and odds on winners. Just to add to my insane Carling Cup bet; I thought "bollixs" Lay Bolton and hope for a late goal from Newcastle. Liability is low and profits high if things turn in my favour.

That's the hasty plan and here's my Betfair screen:

Well... that little tickle went tits-up! Bolton hung on and ran out 1-0 winners.

In-Play Carling Cup

Man United started strong and Spurs are definitely the inferior team.

Time to dump the Lay and go for a FREE bet on Man United to win.

New plan and new Betfair screen:

My previous lowest profit was 9p on an Arsenal match. This would be a new low if Spurs win or draw. It seems unlikely at this time, but football is a funny old game

Halftime

OK, I baled out early, but at the time United were in total control and seemed likely to score at any moment. Safety first, protect the stake and go green. The fact is at halftime the score remains at 0-0 and the Back odds for Man U are 2.26. This means I could have made a far better bet by holding my position. However, I've still got a free bet and my stake is intact, ready and waiting for another chance to Back or Lay a "good thing".

Lay the draw might be a good option?

Man United often come out fighting for the second half in most matches, so and early goal is on the cards. Both teams are going forward and it looks unlikely to be a 0-0 at full time (DOH - remember ARSE-SEN-FECKING-NIL-NILS).

A small punt on Lay the draw might be a choice?

I'll have to think this one through.

Another Mad Bet Against the Run-Of-Play

Lay the draw and HOPE for a goal...

That's NOT a plan it's a WISH!

Here's my new Betfair trade screen:

WHEN one of them score, I'll Back the draw and go back in to the green.

Bold-fecking-ric would have been proud of this "cunning plan" (or maybe not).

This is not the first time I've traded out-of-the-green and got a 0-0

Yep, missed the goal in the last few seconds AGAIN!

Who would have thought except for ME that neither team would score?

Bugger, fart, shag the cat.

After being £4+pence UP - I'm now £13+pence DOWN

This Betfair experiment is closed.