Revenge for the Reds’ bitter FA Cup exit?
For the second time in three weeks, Manchester United and Liverpool will go head-to-head. If the upcoming Premier League clash is only half as dramatic and exciting as the FA Cup quarter-final before the international break, fans at Old Trafford can look forward to an enthralling clash on Sunday afternoon. Incidentally, the Red Devils ultimately prevailed 4:3 after extra time in the knockout match of the world’s oldest cup competition. Coach Jürgen Klopp’s team therefore definitely have a score to settle.
Apart from the impressions from the last encounter, there are of course many other aspects that have a decisive influence on the Manchester United vs Liverpool prediction for matchday 32 in the Premier League. In this context, for example, it should not be underestimated that the hosts had to swallow a very bitter pill on Thursday evening and actually left Stamford Bridge in London as losers despite leading 3-2 until the 99th (!) minute. It cannot be ruled out that this mental breakdown will also have a negative impact on the ten Hag protégés at the weekend
Ahead of this clash between two rival clubs, a look at the betting odds shows that the bookmakers with a German license see the visitors from the Beatles’ city relatively clearly ahead. Before the kick-off of the Manchester United vs. Liverpool match, the bet on the away win is offered at a top price of 1.65. The implied probability of victory is therefore 60%.
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Manchester United – Statistics & current form
An interesting final spurt awaits Manchester United this season. The record champions are aiming to defend sixth place in the Premier League and thus definitely secure the right to play in the European Cup in 2024/25. Dutch head coach Erik ten Hag’s side are also still in the FA Cup, where they are clearly favored to win the semi-final away to second-division side Coventry City and are therefore eyeing their first title since 2016.
Next weekend, however, the focus will initially be on the clash against arch-rivals Liverpool. The Red Devils would love to tip the scales in the championship race in England and take points off the current leaders, but the interim upward trend of four Premier League wins in a row from the beginning to the end of February is already history.
The sixth-placed team have only gained a total of four points from their last five league games. Man United have finally lost sight of the top four and, in the worst-case scenario, could even slip out of the European Cup places
United’s home strength must not be underestimated
In order to quickly clear their heads after the aforementioned 4-3 defeat at Chelsea on Thursday evening, a win on Sunday afternoon would be of immense importance. An interesting statistic gives hope that the odds on a home win between Manchester United and Liverpool will prove to be true. United have won four of their last five home games against teams who were in one of the top four places before the start of the matchday.
In general, the Red Devils are a completely different kettle of fish in their own stadium than away from home. This is underlined by the impressive home statistics under Erik ten Hag. Of the 53 competitive matches played at home under the former Ajax coach, 38 have been victorious. That corresponds to a win rate of 71.7 percent. By comparison, club legend Sir Alex Ferguson achieved 71.2 percent during his tenure.
In terms of personnel, things have also eased up for the hosts in recent weeks. At Stamford Bridge, the coach even had the luxury of leaving Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay on the bench from the start. Both are expected to be back in the starting eleven on Sunday. The only problem is the situation in central defense, as Varane and Evans had to be substituted with injuries on Thursday. There are no other well-known and experienced options. Regardless of the personnel, however, the defense remains the record champions’ problem child. Ten goals conceded in the last five PL games and only two clean sheets in the last 13 matches in the English top flight make this impressively clear.
Predicted Manchester United line-up:
Liverpool – Statistics & current form
Without glitz and glamor, but with plenty of force and will, Liverpool Football Club bagged a must-win at home against bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United on Thursday evening. The Reds even had to fear for a three-pointer until the final quarter of an hour. However, with the score at 1:1, it was a dream goal from Alexis Mac Allister that brought about the preliminary decision. Cody Gakpo scored shortly before the end to make it 3:1, allowing coach Jürgen Klopp’s charges to successfully maintain their lead at the top of the English Premier League table.
A much tougher task on paper awaits the Scousers at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, although the Reds’ away form should certainly be encouraging. Klopp’s team have won six of their last seven Premier League games away from home. Compared to the fact that the league leaders previously needed 19 league games to record the same number of away victories, it is clear that the Europa League quarter-finalists have gone one better in their opponents’ stadiums
Liverpool have learned to love the PL away games
The fact that LFC are away from home this weekend should actually please Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez. Salah has scored at least once in each of his last three away games at the Theater of Dreams and five times in total. The Uruguayan, meanwhile, has eight goals in his last nine PL games (seven goals, one assist). These two players are therefore the most likely potential goalscorers for Sunday.
In general, we can well imagine that Klopp’s team will once again benefit from their excellent attacking play at their arch-rivals. Liverpool have scored twice or more in five of their last seven league games. In a league comparison, only Arsenal have scored two more goals than LFC, who have now scored at least one goal in 26 consecutive PL games. The Champions League winners last failed to score away from home in the English top flight almost exactly a year ago. It is quite possible that the men from Merseyside will even find the net in both halves this time, with Andre Onana at the helm.
Predicted Liverpool line-up:
Manchester United – Liverpool head-to-head comparison / H2H record
We don’t need to discuss the great tradition of this pairing for long. 177 comparisons in England’s top flight are impressive proof that two of the biggest, most successful and most popular clubs on the island face each other on Sunday afternoon. Far more important than a look at history, however, are the impressions of the most recent direct duels.
We have already covered the Red Devils’ spectacular 4-3 win after extra time in the FA Cup three weeks ago, which incidentally came despite being 3-2 down at one stage during extra time. The first leg of the current Premier League season, on the other hand, ended in a goalless draw. We are convinced that the third meeting between the arch-rivals will be based on the second and will be a high-scoring affair
Manchester United – Liverpool betting tip
The clash between rival clubs Manchester United and Liverpool is all about prestige. However, this match is also extremely exciting in sporting terms. After picking up just four points from their last five league games, the home side will be determined to turn things around and defend sixth place in the table. LFC, meanwhile, face the no less responsible task of maintaining their lead at the top of the table. A win at Old Trafford seems a must.
The bookmakers have little doubt that LFC will live up to their role as favorites this weekend. The betting odds between Manchester United and Liverpool are clearly in favor of the visitors from Merseyside. Nevertheless, the one-sidedness of the odds is surprising, especially as the Red Devils have won over 70% of their home games under ten Hag and were also able to bring the Championship contenders to their knees in the FA Cup three weeks ago. The three-way bet is therefore not our preferred approach and only becomes interesting in terms of odds if it is combined with goals from both teams
The slightly more sensible option in our eyes, however, is to bet on the Reds scoring at least once in both halves before the Manchester United v Liverpool match. The good away form also speaks in favor of this, as does the outstanding LFC offense, which has recently been particularly convincing away from home. Personnel problems in the host’s central defense further increase the probability
