Duell of the arch-enemies for the semi-finals!
The rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool is one of the most talked about in English soccer. On the one hand, its origins lie in the fact that the two cities claim to be the most important economic center in the north of the country. On the other hand, on a sporting level, the question is who is the most successful club on the island? The Red Devils are currently just ahead of the Reds (19 championships, most recently in 2020) with 20 championships (most recently in 2013). However, that could change in the current season
On Sunday afternoon – traditionally this match between the opposing fan camps is not played in the evening, but in bright light – it is not about important points in the title race, but about advancing to the semi-finals of the FA Cup. On paper, the visitors from the city of the Beatles have the better chances. Between Manchester United and Liverpool, the bet on an away win after regular time has maximum odds of 1.85. The bookmakers are therefore assuming that Klopp’s team will continue to ride the wave of success and retain the upper hand at Old Trafford.
The reasons for this assessment are obvious. LFC have been in outstanding form for weeks, reeling off an enormous workload match after match and are probably the team in top international soccer at the moment that manages to bring an almost inhuman intensity to the pitch for the entire duration of the game like no other. Nevertheless, with regard to the Manchester United vs Liverpool prediction, it must be taken into account that the Reds have to play away and United have enough quality to cause problems for the current Premier League runners-up.
Because we can’t rule out the possibility of extra time and a penalty shootout on Sunday, we have selected Betway as a provider that allows you to combine a bet on the number of goals after regular time with a bet on progression. You can also collect a €100 cashback bonus at Betway or use the combination joker:
Manchester United – Statistics & current form
Manchester United still have exactly one chance of winning the title this season. The English record champions are one of the eight remaining teams in the FA Cup. However, in order to actually make it through to the final round at the weekend, coach Erik ten Hag’s team will have to surpass themselves in some way. The Red Devils have proven time and time again in 2023/24 that they can achieve this. In the Premier League, for example, United won against Aston Villa or Chelsea and scored against Tottenham or Liverpool. If Marcus Rashford and Co. manage to get close to their own maximum performance, United can be a dangerous opponent for any opponent.
Their current form is also quite impressive. Thanks to the admittedly lackluster 2-0 home win against Everton the previous week, when two converted penalties were enough to secure three points, MUFC now have five wins from their last seven Premier League games. Sixth place in the interim rankings, eight points behind the Champions League places, does not match the high ambitions of the renowned international club, who still have to worry about qualifying for international business
Will the Man Utd defense simply be overrun?
The ten Hag team’s biggest problem is undoubtedly the defense. Looking back at the last eleven league games, only two clean sheets were recorded. In most cases, more than one goal was conceded. Also interesting: in nine of the last ten PL matches involving United, the over would have been 2.5. Although it is an FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday afternoon, we are confident that the odds of three or more goals in regular time between Manchester United and Liverpool will prove to be true. Goals from both teams are also to be expected. Betano is offering an acceptable 1.55 at the top for this.
The fact that the aforementioned defense in particular will have problems against the Reds’ attacking force is also due to the tense personnel situation. With Shaw and Malacia, both skilled left-backs are out. The somewhat stiff Lindelöf will help out on the left in the back four, but will probably have to deal with the recovered Mohamed Salah at the weekend. The Evans/Varane central defense is also likely to be stretched to its limits. At least the sixth-placed team in the Premier League will be hoping for the return of Rasmus Hojlund, although he is unlikely to make more than one substitute appearance.
Predicted Manchester United line-up:
No information available
Liverpool – stats & current form
14 minutes was all Liverpool Football Club needed to score four (!) goals at home to Sparta Prague on Thursday night. Anyone who thought that the Reds would take it a little easier in the second leg after their 5:1 win in the first leg in the Czech Republic was wrong. Jürgen Klopp fielded almost everyone of note in attack and ultimately saw a difference in class on the lush green of Anfield Road in the early stages.
In addition to a realistic chance of winning the European Cup, the Scousers are still aiming for the quadruple. The EFL Cup has already been won, they are level on points with leaders Arsenal in the Premier League and the Reds – alongside Manchester City – are also considered to have the best chance of reaching the final of the FA Cup. The Manchester United vs Liverpool odds from Sunday show just how strong LFC are currently rated. The 1.85 on an away win after 90 minutes implies a probability of over 50%, even though Klopp’s team are guests at the Theater of Dreams
Does Liverpool just go with the flow?
With all justified praise, however, it must be noted that a corresponding tip on the favorite also harbors dangers. For example, six of the nine points lost by Nunez, Salah and Co. in the current Premier League season have come in away games. When the 2019 Champions League winners weakened, it tended to be away from home!
In addition, Klopp’s team struggled, especially against the top teams with good individual talent. City could not be defeated in two attempts, nor could Arsenal. Although it would be bold to put Manchester United on a par with the aforementioned championship contenders, the Red Devils also have good individual players who are particularly good at switching play.
It is also a fact that the Premier League runners-up have rarely been able to keep a clean sheet in the recent past. They conceded a goal in both Europa League games, have only kept a clean sheet in two of their last nine Premier League games and have only managed a total of three clean sheets in nine domestic cup games in 2023/24. In view of this, it could make sense to either consider the odds for an away win between Manchester United and Liverpool, including goals from both teams, or to combine the expected progress of the Europa League quarter-finalists with the over 2.5.
Predicted Liverpool line-up:
No information available.
Manchester United – Liverpool head-to-head comparison / H2H record
This is the second time the rival clubs have faced each other this season. In the league, there was a goalless draw at Anfield Road. Despite the cup nature of the game, we are expecting far more spectacle on Sunday and are also referring to the most recent head-to-head clashes in recent years.
Looking back at the last five PL meetings, a whopping 25 (!) goals have been scored, an average of five per match. LFC have scored ten goals in the last three away games at Old Trafford alone. The last cup match between these teams dates back to the 2020/21 season and ended in a 3-2 home win for the Red Devils, who have won all of their last five FA Cup home matches against the Reds.
Manchester United – Liverpool betting tip
The absolute highlight of the FA Cup quarter-finals takes place at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. The two arch-rivals Manchester United and Liverpool will duel for a place in the semi-finals. Explosion, excitement and drama seem pre-programmed. However, the Reds currently have a relatively pronounced advantage, as they are brimming with confidence and have made a much better impression than the Red Devils throughout the season.
However, all of this will only play a subordinate role at the weekend, because in a cup match that would go into extra time and possibly a penalty shoot-out in the event of a draw, anything is possible, even for the underdog. This is precisely why we believe the Manchester United vs Liverpool betting odds on the away win in the three-way market are too low to see any value in them. Only with a link that both teams will score in regular time do the odds gain interest
In the end, however, we’ll try our luck between Manchester United and Liverpool by betting that Klopp’s team will reach the semi-finals and that at least three goals will be scored after 90 minutes. A corresponding combination can be played at Betway. The maximum odds there are 2.15 and are worth a stake of five units
