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For an inexperienced bettor, it seems rather strange to see the odds dropping especially when the movements are spontaneous. The question “why are odds dropping” comes naturally and is only logical. The common belief is that odds drop or rise due to some last-minute information that the bookmaker has acquired, like a managerial change or the absence of a star player. Seeing that this is the rarest case, we aim to show you everything you need to know about odds movements. And most importantly how to play with dropping odds and ultimately how to profit from dropping odds.

How to interpret dropping odds

Usually dropping odds simply means that the bookmaker is adjusting his prices to reflect true probabilities of an outcome or to balance his commission. Given that the odds were posted days or even weeks before the kick-off, this is the right thing to do. So if you notice a progressive drop of the odds during the days it doesn’t necessarily mean that there is something going on there. The bookmakers are dropping odds as a specific outcome is getting a lot of action. Nothing suspicious here. But if you notice a significant change in the odds (more than 20% or so) in the 70% of the trustworthy bookmakers around the globe, then it means that there is something going on here. Something you should learn about it and of course bet on it.

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed his excitement after the Red Devils were drawn against Manchester City for the double-legged tie in the League Cup semi-final. The Manchester derby has already been held once at the Etihad Stadium this season and the result went in the favour of the Red Devils, who picked up a 2-1 triumph.

Speaking in a press conference, Solskjaer said that the Citizens are the best team in England as per him and his side need to perform much better than before to come out victorious over the two legs, he told: “Of course, we do really respect them and, as I said after the derby last time, in my opinion they are the best team in England.

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has said that the Red Devils could have scored more goals during the 2-1 derby triumph over Manchester City in the Premier League. The Red Devils were deemed as the underdogs ahead of the Manchester derby but they managed to silence the doubters with a thoroughly deserved win.

Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial scored the goals for the Red Devils in the opening half and following the break, the team put up a resolute defensive display with the Citizens only managing an equalising goal at the Etihad Stadium. Speaking after the game, Rashford acknowledged that the Red Devils were the better side despite the limited possession and said the team could have won by a greater margin with the chances they had in the opening half.

Manchester United legend Paul Ince has said that he prefers watching Chelsea over the Red Devils in action this season. Frank Lampard and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been backed to manage the Blues and Red Devils respectively this term and so far, the results have been neck and neck in the league with eight points apiece.

Speaking on FourFourTwo, Ince acknowledged that both managers have been offered with testing challenges on their hand but he would personally prefer to watch the Blues in action, given they have an identity in terms of what they are doing on the field, he told: “I think of Ole in the same way as I do Frank Lampard. Two young managers, lacking experience, thrown into two massive clubs.But if you gave me the choice of who I’d rather be watching this season, it’d be Chelsea all day long – and that hurts me as a former United captain.

Former England international Alan Shearer has said that Manchester United have taken a huge transfer gamble this summer after deciding against pursuing a replacement for Romelu Lukaku. The Belgium international was linked with both Juventus and Inter Milan prior to the English transfer deadline and he ultimately made the move to the latter.

Since then, the Red Devils have gone further to sanction the loan departure of Alexis Sanchez to Inter Milan and Shearer believes the club could have a tough season ahead with just Rashford and Martial as the senior striking options at their disposal, he wrote in The Sun: "Gareth Southgate's assessment that Marcus Rashford is not a No.9 is spot on.

Former Premier League star Stan Collymore believes Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial need to up their performances for Manchester United this season such that they can contribute 20 goals apiece. The duo contributed a combined three goals during the recent 4-0 drubbing of Chelsea in the Premier League opener but there are still doubts emanating regarding their consistency.

In his writing column in The Mirror, Collymore highlighted that Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling had a concern with the consistency in front of goal two years ago but the England international has made terrific progress to become the go-to man for the reigning champions. He added that Martial and Rashford only managed 10 goals apiece last term and they should seek to at least double the tally to aide the Red Devils’ quest for the top four.

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has said that the club have not received any offers meeting their valuation of defender Harry Maguire. The England international has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United this summer and reports have recently suggested that the club have lodged a £80m bid for the central defender.

Speaking in a press conference, Rodgers said that there have been no clubs willing to match their price tag for the defender and he is fairly relaxed over the situation, he told: “There is no real discussion. There is no change. Everything has already been said with Harry, it’s very simple, we are very relaxed. The clubs that have spoken to Leicester haven’t met any valuations so at this moment in time he is very much a Leicester player and you can see where his concentration is.”

ESPN pundit Shaka Hislop has said that Manchester United should look to pursue the signature of Toby Alderweireld during this summer’s transfer window. The Red Devils are keen on recruiting a new centre-back ahead of next season and so far, they have been on the trail of Leicester City’s Harry Maguire without any success.

Speaking to ESPN, Hislop indicated that United need somehow to make an instant impact at the heart of the defence and Alderweireld remains the perfect option for the role with the experience on his side, he said: “Given the choice between those two at those prices, I go for Alderweireld all day long. Especially for United whose need I think is immediate. Manchester United are trailing everybody in trying to get back into the top four. Age is not that big a barrier or decider in choosing your players. Right now I think Alderweireld is the more sensible option.”

England international Declan Rice has said that he is committed to West Ham United despite the constant speculation surrounding his future with the club. The young midfielder only penned a new five-year deal with the Hammers in December and he has indicated that he has no immediate plans of pursuing a bigger challenge.

Speaking to Goal.com, Rice said that he has no worries regarding his current position with the Hammers and has a great relationship with the supporters, he told: “Everything’s good,’ Rice said. I know there’s speculation but during the season I signed a new five-year contract with West Ham, so my focus is fully on playing for West Ham. I have a great connection with the fans. The fans love me, I love them, and that’s the way it is at the moment. I’m not thinking about anything else.”

Argentina international Paulo Dybala has indicated that he would prefer to continue with Juventus next season amid the speculation interested from Manchester United. A recent report suggested that the Red Devils could seek to swoop for the attacker this summer following a difficult season by his standards across all competitions.

However, Dybala does not seem to hold any interest in parting ways with the Bianconeri and speaking to Mediaset, he has revealed that the same message has been communicated to chief Fabio Paratici, he said: “I talked to the club and Fabio Paratici and they know what I think. I want to stay at Juventus again next year, I want to continue playing here”.