Premier League betting – Man Utd vs Liverpool betting

Man Utd vs Liverpool betting preview

They stunned them at Old Trafford last season and now Liverpool travel to Manchester aiming to complete a league double over Sir Alex’s men. Rafa’s reds returned to Merseyside 4-1 victors a year ago when they found themselves battling it out with Sunday’s opponents for the Premier League Crown, but they are a distant 9/2 shot to nick all three points this time around. United currently sit at the top of the tree and the bookies list them as odds on favourites to make it six wins on the bounce at 8/11. The draw is trading at 14/5 with Bet365.

A massive fifteen points separates the two sides as they prepare to do battle in front of the Sky cameras. Liverpool’s 4-1 success over cash-strapped Portsmouth on Monday night ended back to back defeats for the Reds at Wigan and Lille respectively. Results which have seen the Anfield club relinquish fourth spot to Spurs in a woeful campaign that Benitez and co will want to forget in a hurry. Perhaps some saving grace was the fact they defeated their arch rivals United when the pair last met in late October. A Fernando Torres strike and a late David N’gog goal sealed all three points for the Reds that day but the game was marred by the sending’s off of Nemanja Vidic and Javier Mascherano. Betfair go 16/5 that referee brandishes a red in Sunday’s fixture.

The Red Devils sit two points clear of second placed Chelsea at the summit after last Sunday’s 3-0 demolition of Fulham as the title race enters its final phase. And Sir Alex admitted this week that he expects the closest finish in Premier League history but with Wayne Rooney in blistering goal scoring form, United could yet be crowned Premier League Champions for the twelfth time. Arguably the best striker in the world at present, Rooney has fired 32 goals in all competitions this season and his manager has challenged him to surpass the feat of former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese star netted 42 times two seasons ago which led United to Euro glory in 2007-2008. But hop on Rooney to better this, he is best priced at even money with Hills.

United are looking to keep a fourth successive clean sheet, and their defensive shut outs are largely down to Ferdinand and Vidic rekindling their partnership in a season blighted by injuries for the former. Vidic must be wary of Fernando Torres on Sunday, who outclassed the big Serb in the same fixture a year ago. Torres is a decent 11/2 to breach the United rearguard first on Sunday lunchtime but the Reds have been dismal on the road this season. They have already lost seven times away from Anfield this term which is quite extraordinary considering they lost just twice in the whole of last season. Rooney will not be short of backers so take the 10/3 being offered by Paddy Power that he scores first and adds to his impressive tally. At 4/1 to score with his head he may represent better value as six of his last eight goals have all been headers. United are resilient at Old Trafford of late and the 13/8 at Coral for them to win to nil is not worth passing up.

Personally, I don’t see Liverpool’s away day blues improving at Old Trafford, where the Mancs have lost just once all season. They won here last term but this season has been a complete catastrophe and they will already have one eye on the trip to Hull on May 9 when they can say farewell to a season that has fell short of every expectation. Fourth spot remains a distinct possibility but I think that challenge will have to commence when they entertain Sunderland a week later. Expect Manchester United to run out comfortably winners with Rooney playing an integral role as they continue their march towards the title.

Betting Verdict

Rooney to score anytime against Liverpool is 4/5 with Stan James

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