Our Updated Predictions for the Postponed Match
Preview
Manchester United and Liverpool renew their bitter rivalry in a Premier League Super Sunday clash at Old Trafford.
Liverpool cantered to the title last season, but it has been a disastrous campaign for the champions with no prospect of silverware and the Reds facing a fight to qualify for the Champions League.
Jurgen Klopp’s men sit four points off fourth-placed Chelsea with five games to go, and cannot afford any more slip-ups between now and the end of the season.
The problem for the champions is that they face a confident United side who have one foot in the Europa League final after routing AS Roma 6-2 on Thursday night.
United’s title hopes are all but over as they sit second, 10 points behind Man City – but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would love to deal a hammer blow to Liverpool’s Champions League hopes with a result on Sunday.
Form Guide: Manchester United
A dreary goalless draw at Elland Road last weekend for Manchester United was followed by a bizarre and dramatic 6-2 win against Roma in the Europa League and the Red Devils will be hoping to carry that goal-scoring touch into a clash with arch-rivals Liverpool.
With ten points between them and the top spot and a 12 point cushion inside the top four, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side actually have very little to play for in the Premier League but that won’t stop the fans demanding a strong finish to the campaign and a win against Liverpool would be the perfect way to start the run in.
Form Guide: Liverpool
Unlike their rivals, Liverpool have an awful lot to play for. The soon-to-be dethroned champions are 13 points adrift of their hosts and four points off a top four spot. Their draw with Newcastle last weekend made it three draws in a row in all competitions and their brief resurgence looks to have hit a roadblock.
One positive for Jurgen Klopp’s side is the return of their goal-scoring touch. They have now scored in seven of their last eight games in all competitions and they haven’t failed to score away from home since the start of January.
How the match could go
In the league history of this fixture, a goalless draw is the most common result, with the reverse being the 20th time both sides have failed to score in this famous contest. Given Man United’s track record of 0-0 stalemates this season, and Liverpool’s ongoing troubles in front of goal, it is tempting to predict another one for Sunday’s match.
However, while we do expect the spoils to be shared come the final whistle, we are hoping for a more entertaining showdown than the one we saw at Anfield in January. Liverpool need a win, while Man United come into the match full of confidence and within touching distance of securing their number one target for the season, and that should make for an intriguing contest.
Tip: Over 2.5 Goals
The current stats might say otherwise. Four of the last five encounters between these two arch-rivals of English football have produced under 2.5 goals. Three of Man United’s last five fixtures as well as each of Liverpool’s last three outings have also produced fewer than 2.5 goals. However, there is something peculiar about this upcoming fixture. We expect the Red Devils to carry on their momentum from the Roma game and that should see them approach this game with an attacking sense. Bet9ja and Bet365 have 1.80 while 1xbet have 1.88.
Double Chance
It’s rather difficult to predict this one. United are likely to finish second and the pressure is off them somewhat, but Liverpool desperately need a win to keep their hopes of Champions League qualification alive.
The result largely depends on which United turn up – the sloppy first-half imposters, or the thrilling second-half comeback kings. If they get the usual mix of both, a home win is on the cards – but Liverpool equally have the quality to leave with all three points.Bet9ja and Bet365 have 1.28 while 1xbet have 1.34.
Both teams to score: YES
Keeping Manchester United out at the other end might be a problem, though. The Reds have conceded in five of their last six games and Manchester United have failed to score in just one of their last 12 competitive matches, so backing both teams to find the net looks a decent shout on Sunday. Bet9ja have 1.62 odds, Bet365 have 1.66 and 1xbet have 1.68.
Anytime Goal-scorer (Manchester United)
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has been sensational since joining Manchester United in January 2020. He scored twice against Roma on Thursday night, the first a superb dinked finish and the second a trademark penalty. He has scored 16 times in the league this season and has history against Liverpool having scored a free-kick to settle the FA Cup fourth-round tie between the sides in January. We’re backing him to get another on Sunday against a Liverpool side who have not kept a clean sheet in three Premier League matches. Bet365 have 2.87 odds while Bet9ja have 3.00.
Edinson Cavani
The Uruguayan forward has proven to be a shrewd buy for United. The 34-year-old continues to show why experience never fails and has put in an outstanding shift at Old Trafford this time. In fact, United have barely missed Anthony Martial because of the veteran forward and it’s no surprise Ole Solskjaer says the club want to keep him for one more season. 12 goals from 33 games so far is not bad at all for a debut season. He is on top form at the moment and could yet continue that with another goal today. Similar to Cavani, Bet365 also have 2.87 odds while Bet9ja have 3.00.
Anytime Goal-scorer (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian has been one of the consistencies for Liverpool this term. In a season where they have blown hot and cold, he has maintained his goal-scoring form and has scored a respectable 20 goals already. He has also done that for the past four seasons in succession, showing his importance under Jurgen Klopp. He is only one behind Harry Kane in the race for the golden boot and that should serve as extra motivation for him to get on the score-sheet. Bet365 have 1.95 odds while Bet9ja have it slightly better at 2.50.
Diogo Jota
The Portuguese forward has forced himself into the Liverpool XI of late and continues to give Klopp reasons to keep him there. He has been nothing short of impressive since he joined from Wolves and has already bagged double digits this season. Either from the start or off the bench, he is a top candidate to get a goal today. Bet365 have 2.50 odds while Bet9ja have 3.00.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
