England Premier League
Sunday 17th January 2021
Kick off at 4:30pm GMT
Venue: Anfield
Match Preview:
The timing couldn’t have been any better for this huge fixture to take place as Liverpool will take on Manchester United.
Liverpool could have slipped down to 4th place by Sunday because of other results but going into this weekend it is the first two clubs in the league going head to head and there is no love lost between the clubs.
Liverpool have been disappointing lately and have not won in their last 3 matches. A loss at Southampton followed two draws against Newcastle and West Bromwich Albion and compared to last season Liverpool easily dropped 7 points in the last few weeks where they would have won and usually have been out of sight. That is clearly not the case this season and Liverpool have Manchester United, Manchester City, Leicester and Everton hot on their trail, unlike last season the Reds do not have a chance to breathe it seems.
However the good news for Liverpool is how brilliant they have been at home and that has to be respected. It’s been 2 years worth of games at Anfield where the club have not been defeated and this season from a total of 24 points they have won 22 with seven wins from 8 games. The only club who has taken points from them at Anfield is the one currently in 19th, West Bromwich Albion, which should tell us everything about how competitive the Premier League is. No other team has scored more goals at home than Liverpool too, they currently have 21, and only Manchester City have conceded less at home with seven so far compared to Liverpool’s 8.
Manchester United finally surpassed Liverpool in the league last week as they beat Burnley 1-0 to go 3 points clear with the same games played. United have earned 26 points from their last 30 on offer and are the most in form side in the league. The Red Devils come into this game having won their last 3 in a row.
What spices up this game even more apart from the history and rivalry is that Liverpool have the best home record and Manchester United have the best away record. United are undefeated on the road this season winning seven of their 8 games and United have scored more goals away than any other side with 22 so far.
Team News:
Liverpool: Naby Keita is ruled out with a muscle injury, Joel Matip remains 50/50 with the same problem and a late decision will be made. Joseph Gomez, Diogo Jota and Virgil van Dijk are all out long term.
Manchester United: Anthony Martial and Nemanja Matic are slight doubts with muscle injuries and will be assessed. Victor Lindelof will be assessed as he has a back injury.
Liverpool vs Man Utd Head to Head:
Last season Liverpool beat Manchester United in this fixture 2-0.
Manchester United haven’t won at Anfield in the league since 2016.
There is a 70% chance to see under 2.5 goals.
3 of the last 8 league meetings have ended with the correct score of 0-0.
Liverpool vs Man Utd Prediction:
This is a huge match of course and could play a vital part in Liverpool’s season. The worst case scenario for the Reds is that they do indeed drop down to 4th before this game is played then lose this and fall six points behind in the league, plus with their home record ended this could have a very negative effect on the club. But flip that around and a win would mean no matter what happens Liverpool would be in 1st place after this weekend.
Liverpool may find themselves on the back foot for periods of this game as there is a fire in the belly for Manchester United whose players will be focused and determined to win this game. It’s about everything for United, playing a fierce rival, staying top of the league, beating the champions and keeping their away record in tact.
We expect to see an explosive game but Liverpool can still win this. United will commit themselves perhaps too much and that could leave gaps at the back and if Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane et all click in this game they will be incredibly dangerous, and Liverpool shouldn’t be written off just yet but the momentum even before a ball is kicked seems to be with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
Liverpool vs Man Utd Betting Tips:
Liverpool to beat Manchester United at 1.91
Anytime goalscorer: Mohamed Salah at 2.00
Both teams to score at 1.62
A sending off in the match at 4.50
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