Man Utd vs Liverpool Preview and Betting Tips

There is no question about which is the big match in the Premier League this weekend. Man Utd vs Liverpool is one that gets marked on every fan’s calendar and this year’s renewal of rivalries has the potential to be a classic. Utd fought back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 vs Atalanta at Old Trafford on Wednesday and they are the underdogs at 3.25. Liverpool won by the same scoreline vs Atletico and they are a best price of 2.34. Given how these teams have been defending, there will surely be goals on Sunday. Hopefully it lives up to expectations.

Man Utd

After I said that Ronaldo was looking like a disastrous signing for Utd in the Atalanta preview, he goes and scores a magnificent winner. Utd were 2-0 down after 25 minutes and they looked flat. However, while the two goals they conceded were poor, they did create plenty of chances at the other end. There would have been few arguments if it had been 2-2 at the interval. However, gilt edged chances were spurned by Fred (twice) and Rashford and it looked like the writing was on the wall for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side at half time.

The hosts came out all guns blazing after the break. A slide rule finish from Rashford gave them a lifeline in the 53rd minute. Maguire then pulled them level after 75. Just six minutes later, Ronaldo headed home the decisive goal. It was yet another come from behind victory for the men from Manchester and the half time boos were transformed into wild full time celebrations.

Balls In Behind

A lot of Utd’s chances came from balls played in behind Atalanta. That bodes extremely well for them on Sunday. Liverpool also play with a very high line and they were picked apart on numerous occasions by Atletico in very similar fashion. Rashford and Greenwood could have a field day on the flanks if Bruno and even Lindelof or Maguire can hit the right weight of pass over the top or in behind the full backs.

It is safe to say Ronaldo will start again on Sunday, but will he be joined by Pogba? The Frenchman was benched on Wednesday but he was the first sub on when Utd needed a goal. To be fair to him, he made a positive impact. In Friday’s press conference it was revealed that Bruno and Fred are both doubts for Sunday. If those two miss out and Pogba and Matic start instead, you would have to worry for Utd.

Liverpool

The narrative around Liverpool is that they are back. Their 5-0 win against one of the worst teams in the Premier League was lauded by many as the moment that Klopp’s men proved their problems from last season were well behind them. However, in their previous Premier League outing they were lucky to be still in the game vs Man City at half time. They were better in the second half but they still conceded two goals and the match finished 2-2.

A week before that they looked extremely dodgy defensively in a 3-3 draw at Brentford. Crystal Palace also missed a couple of huge chances in their 3-0 defeat at Anfield. Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s not all bad news obviously. As far as their counter pressing and attacking play is concerned, yes, Liverpool have looked like their old selves at times. Mo Salah is the best player in the League right now by a distance. Mane has chipped in with a few goals and Fabinho is as dependable as ever in the engine room. Alisson is in top form too and only for him, Liverpool would not be 2nd in the table. He has made some brilliant saves at crucial times in recent weeks.

Vulnerabilities

However, Liverpool have definite vulnerabilities that are there for all to see. Alisson has been busy for a reason. Alexander-Arnold and Robertson have repeatedly been exploited by teams playing diagonal long passes in behind. Virgil Van Dijk does not look as quick as he was since his serious injury. He was badly exposed by Griezmann’s pace on Tuesday night. Keita has scored a couple of nice volleys recently but he was hooked at half time vs Atletico after some dire defensive work. If Milner and Henderson start, will they be able to close down Bruno (if he plays) before he has time to turn and pick a pass?

Don’t get me wrong, Liverpool might overwhelm Utd in the first 15/20 minutes and it could be game over. Salah is in frighteningly good form and it feels like he is going to score every time he touches the ball. Arnold will be a threat going forward as usual and it should be a great tussle between Mane and Wan Bissaka on the other side. If Liverpool can win enough individual battles in the Utd half of the pitch and put pressure on their passing, it may well be enough to earn them all three points. 

Man Utd vs Liverpool Possible Lineups

Man Utd: De Gea, Wan Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw, Matic/Fred, McTominay, Rashford, Bruno/Pogba, Greenwood, Ronaldo.

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Jones/Milner, Mane, Jota, Salah.

Man Utd vs Liverpool Betting Tip

Liverpool won this fixture 4-2 last season in an empty Old Trafford. The previous two EPL meetings finished 1-1 and 0-0. The last time they won in Manchester in front of a full house was back in 2013. Man Utd’s last win at home vs Liverpool in the Premier League came in 2018 when Rashford bagged a brace in a 2-1 win.

He also netted in the 1-1 draw in 2019 and he scored in the FA Cup win and 4-2 defeat last season. Clearly, this fierce rivalry brings out the best in him. Rashford has the pace to be a real threat on Sunday and while he picked up a dead leg vs Atalanta, surely he’ll start. If he does play, the 4.10 about him to score anytime looks massive.

Goals Galore

Given the defensive issues and attacking talent both teams have, this game will surely produce goals. Who’ll win it? Liverpool probably deserve to be favourites but Utd cannot be discounted. If Utd play like they did vs Leicester, this could be a rout. However, if they play like they did from the 30th to 85th minute against Atalanta, they will give Klopp’s side plenty of headaches.

As for Liverpool, they’ll look to blast out of the blocks and put maximum pressure on Utd from the outset. If they can score early, it could be a long afternoon for Solskjaer’s troops. Given United’s propensity for starting slowly, that is a real possibility.

I regretted not waiting for the team news for the Utd v Atalanta match so this time, I will hold fire as Bruno and Fred are important players for the hosts. I’ll most likely have a flutter on the win/btts market but for now, the powder will be kept dry. For anyone that’s interested, after the teams are announced I’ll recommend a bet on our twitter feed. For now, Rashford to score at anytime at odds of 4.10 is our only tip.

Man Utd vs Liverpool Betting Tips: Rashford to score anytime @ 4.10

-DaveStevos