Man Utd vs Liverpool Preview and Betting Tip

Old Trafford is the venue for the big match this weekend, Man Utd vs Liverpool. It kicks off at 4.30 pm on Sunday and you can watch it live on Sky Sports. The hosts have enjoyed a fine season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and they sit comfortably inside the top 4 in 2nd spot. Liverpool, on the other hand, have had a season to forget. Their hopes of sneaking into the Champions League qualifying places are hanging by a thread.

Somewhat surprisingly, Liverpool are the favourites at around 6/4 while Man Utd are as big as 15/8. If you fancy another draw between these two rivals, 13/5 is the best available price. Hopefully this is a better game than the last time these two teams met in the Premier League.  Check out Dave Stevos’ preview and betting tip below.

Solskjaer’s Reds Hitting Form

On Thursday night Man Utd took a huge step towards finally ending their semi-final hoodoo under Solskjaer. They yet again came from behind vs Roma, turning a 2-1 deficit at half time into a 6-2 rout by full time. Roma were admittedly poor and they suffered some injuries at very inopportune moments. However, Man Utd were clinical in the second half and Cavani, Bruno and Pogba put on a show.

Pogba had a very eventful game. He was brilliant in the build up to Utd’s opener, then he gave away a silly penalty that allowed the Italians to equalise. He didn’t cover himself in glory for Roma’s second goal either but he isn’t in this team to defend. His job is to show composure and class on the ball and he did that to perfection in the second half.

The question is whether Solskjaer will make changes to his line up on Sunday. Cavani, who bagged a brace on Thursday, hasn’t often featured in successive games for Utd. So, Greenwood could come in for him. Rashford struggled on Thursday night and he looks like he is still carrying an injury. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Dan James in the team. His pace could come in very useful against this Liverpool defence.

Last Chance Saloon For Liverpool

After Liverpool beat Aston Villa a couple of weeks back, it looked like they were set to go on and comfortably attain a Top 4 Premier League finish. However, a tame 0-0 draw vs Madrid saw them eliminated from the Champions League and it looks like that result had a serious effect on their psyche. They went on to draw their next two games 1-1 (Leeds away, Newcastle at home), taking the lead and then conceding late goals in both.

Against Newcastle, Liverpool missed a host of chances to put the game to bed in the first half in particular. It has been a recurring theme throughout the entire season for The Reds and while Salah is still scoring, the goals have dried up for both Mane and Firmino. Jota isn’t having the same impact as he did earlier this season and the lack of goals has been compounded by some seriously poor defending.

Since they beat Palace 7-0 in late December, Liverpool have picked up a total of 24 points from 19 EPL matches. They have taken 11 from the last 15 available but it could well be a case of too little, too late. The late equaliser they conceded to Newcastle was especially galling as a win there would have left Klopp’s men just 2 points behind 4th placed Chelsea. Instead, they will arrive at Old Trafford on Sunday knowing that a defeat would likely end their Champions League qualification dreams.

Man Utd vs Liverpool Recent Form & xG For

Man Utd may be in better form in terms of results coming into this match but as the xG numbers show, Liverpool usually create enough goal scoring opportunities to win games, they just haven’t taken enough of them. They were particularly wasteful against Newcastle last time and they need to be a lot more clinical at Old Trafford if they want to get the result they so desperately need.      

Man Utd vs Liverpool Betting Tip

There is usually very little between these two rivals when they meet and that is reflected in the betting. Liverpool have been installed as narrow favourites, probably because they need to win this game more than the hosts. However, this Liverpool team miss the leadership of Henderson and Van Dijk badly. They can no longer be relied upon to deliver when the chips are down.

I can see Liverpool coming out of the blocks fast against a Utd team that is susceptible to starting slowly. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they took an early lead but will they be able to hang on to it? Man Utd have repeatedly come back from losing positions this season, most lately against Roma on Thursday night. The 12/1 on offer from BetVictor about Man Utd to come from behind and win looks too tempting to turn down.

With doubts about the fitness of Nat Phillips, Fabinho may have to play at centre back. That could mean more defensive responsibilities for Thiago. The Spaniard will have to help keep tabs on Bruno Fernandes and given his propensity for diving in, the 7/2 available for Thiago to be shown a card is another interesting bet.   

Man Utd vs Liverpool Tips: Man Utd to win from behind @ 12/1; Thiago To be shown a card @ 7/2 (both BetVictor)

Key Quotes – Man Utd vs Liverpool

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – “We’ve just got to focus on one game at a time. Of course, if we manage some good results in the next few league games there will be minutes for more players that deserve to play more. I have got quite a few who haven’t played enough, but we have to make sure we do the right things.”

Jurgen Klopp – “”It will be a tough game, intense. We saw last night Man Utd and they are good! Especially when you let them play. They were flying. I am pretty sure United still feel they have a chance (to win the EPL). Both teams have to win it which is a good recipe for the game.”

Dave Stevos