Liverpool VS Manchester United Match Prediction
2018-12-16
16:00:00
Liverpool
VS
Manchester United
Our Prediction Tip
Liverpool will win this match.
2018-12-1616:00:00 Liverpool will win this match.
Manchester United won 2-1 last time the teams met, their 88th win in 228 previous matches between the two. Liverpool have won 75 but have not beaten Manchester United in the league since March 2014, when David Moyes was in charge. There were four draws in a row before United’s win last time out, meanwhile, with no goals in either of the last two meetings at Anfield. Here are the results of their last five competitive matches:
10/03/2018: Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool
14/10/2017: Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United
15/01/2017: Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool
17/10/2016: Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United
17/03/2016: Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool
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Despite their poor recent record in this fixture, there is no question Liverpool go into this game as favourites and in far superior form.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have gone top of the Premier League and reached the Champions League last 16 on the back of their latest four-match winning run and they are now the only team still unbeaten in the league too.
Mo Salah is back in goalscoring form and that is particularly ominous for United when you consider when their defensive injury problems.
The Egyptian was anonymous in the two matches between these sides last season and so would love to prove a point or two.
United, for all their poor form, have generally turned up in the big games, however – beating Juventus in the Champions League and drawing with Chelsea and Arsenal in the league.
They were thrashed by Manchester City, however – the 3-1 scoreline not reflecting the hosts’ dominance in the Manchester derby – and that is the standard Liverpool must aspire too.
Even with defensive problems of their own, they at least have Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren available at centre-back.
They will need to counter the attacking threat of Romelu Lukaku, who is getting back into goalscoring form, and Marcus Rashford – who netted twice when the teams last met.
If they do, Liverpool can earn a crushing win against their big rivals to maintain top spot in the Premier League and send out a statement of intent to their rivals.
League leaders Liverpool are odds-on favourites to beat Manchester United in this fixture, with Bet365, Betfair, Betway and 10Bet all offering 4/7 on the hosts.
Both teams to score – given United have netted against City, Chelsea and Arsenal in recent weeks – is a best price of 4/5 with Bet365.
That said, both games at Anfield were goalless in the last two seasons, and under 1.5 goal might be worth a look – 888sport are offering the best price of 18/5.
The key will be if Mo Salah can do what he did not in two games against United last season – continue his goalscoring form. Four goals already this week makes him evens with Betfair and Paddy Power to score at any time.
Liverpool’s winning run and unbeaten league start has continued in the past week and the Reds are favourites to get one over their big rivals, given United’s inconsistent form.
With Joel Matip suffering a fractured collarbone in the win against Napoli last time out, Liverpool are light at the back. Joe Gomez has already been ruled out with a fractured leg, leaving Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren at centre-back. James Milner will continue to deputise for Trent Alexnader-Arnold at right-back, meanwhile, with the youngster out for the whole Christmas period.
Mohamed Salah – The Egyptian striker is bang in form following his hat-trick against Bournemouth and the winner in mid-week against Napoli.
James Milner – Has never lost a league game in which he has scored, and his versatility will be key as he slots in at right-back for injured Alexander-Arnold.
Virgil van Dijk – The big centre-back has been a major factor in Liverpool’s charge to top spot this season and the Dutchman will be key against United’s front men.
Liverpool have won four in a row since their defeat to PSG in the Champions League. Divock Origi scored a 96th-minute winner in a 1-0 Merseyside derby win against Everton, before James Milner, Roberto Firmino and Xherdan Shaqiri all scored as Liverpool came from behind to beat Burnley 3-1. A 4-0 win at Bournemouth followed last weekend, with Mo Salah firing in a hat-trick, and the Egyptian followed that up with the only goal as Liverpool earned a crucial 1-0 Champions League win at home to Napoli last time out.
More injury woes have hit Manchester United hard, with Marcos Rojo limping off at half-time in the defeat to Valencia. Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial, Matteo Darmian and Chris Smalling were already absent, while Diogo Dalot and Scott McTominay have suffered training-ground setbacks and Victor Lindelof and Alexis Sanchez were sidelined before this latest spate of injuries. Nemanja Matic may be forced to slot in at centre-back if there are any further defensive setbacks. Mourinho has already confirmed starts for Marcus Rashford, Ashley Young and Jesse Lingard, meanwhile.
Marcus Rashford – Set to return off the bench, having scored both goals in United’s 2-1 win against Liverpool when the sides last met.
Paul Pogba – With injuries around him, and having missed a sitter in the defeat to Valencia, this is a game in which Paul Pogba has plenty to prove.
Jesse Lingard – After an injury-affected start to the season, the Englishman can look forward to a run of games now and a big performance against Liverpool could kick-start his campaign.
The ultimately inconsequential 2-1 defeat in Valencia last time out ended United’s five-match unbeaten streak. They had previously drawn 2-2 with both Southampton and Arsenal before last weekend’s 4-1 win at home to Fulham. Romelu Lukaku scored against Southampton to kick-start a comeback from 2-0 down, while the big Belgian also netted last weekend to prove his return to form. Ashley Young, Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford were United’s other goalscorers last time out.
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