Two clubs separated only by three points in the Premier League table meet at Old Trafford on Super Sunday as third-placed Manchester United hosts rivals Liverpool.
Manchester United have bounced back from that 1-2 home defeat to rivals Leeds United, as they followed up their 0-1 victory at Stamford Bridge against struggling Chelsea by winning 2-1 at home to European hopefuls Brentford on Monday Night Football.
Michael Carrick’s men have now been victorious in six of their last seven Premier League fixtures at Old Trafford, leaving them in third position, three points above both Aston Villa and their visitors.
Liverpool also comes into this clash in good form, with the Reds securing a third consecutive win in the Premier League by defeating Conference League semi-finalists Crystal Palace 3-1 at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s men secured a dramatic 1-2 victory away at city-rivals Everton in their last away fixture, but that was only their fifth away victory from their last 15 encounters in the Premier League (W5-D3-L7).
How the bookies view it: United favourites
Manchester United are favourites to record a seventh victory from their last eight Premier League fixtures at Old Trafford, with bet365 pricing a home success at 13/10.
Liverpool are 7/4 to record a fourth consecutive victory in the Premier League for the first time since last September, whilst the draw is 14/5.
Head to head: Recent history with the Reds
Liverpool have tended to edge recent meetings between the two, with the Reds winning seven and losing just two of their last 15 Premier League clashes (W7-D6-L2).
However, one of those two wins for the Red Devils came in the reverse fixture at Anfield at the turn of the year, as they secured a dramatic 1-2 victory.
Players to watch: Bruno to bag another goal contribution?
Bruno Fernandes took his tally of assists in the Premier League this season to 19 on Monday night, as he set up what proved to be the winning goal in United’s 2-1 victory over Brentford.
The United skipper also has eight goals to his name in the Premier League this campaign, and the 5/6 on offer at PaddyPower for the Portuguese international to Score or Assist at Old Trafford on Sunday appeals to me.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Predicted line-ups:
Manchester United will still be without defender Lisandro Martinez through suspension and Matthijs de Ligt through injury, whilst Luke Shaw and Matheus Cunha are doubts.
Liverpool will still be missing Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Hugo Ekitike and Mo Salah through injury, whilst Allison is a doubt.
Manchester United: Lammens, Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha, Sesko
Liverpool: Woodman, Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo, Isak
Anything else catch the eye?
Goals look guaranteed at Old Trafford, but unfortunately, we’ve been priced out of it, with Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals paying just 7/10 at Coral/Ladbrokes.
Instead, I’m happy to have a punt on Casemiro to continue his fine goal-scoring run of form for the Red Devils.
The Brazilian has scored four goals across his last six Premier League appearances for Manchester United – including in each of his last three at Old Trafford – and is an eye-catching 5/1 at bet365 to score again.
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