Big Boys Battle at Anfield Liverpool v Manchester United Preview and Tips

The past weekend was a huge one in the Premier League as the previously unbeaten Manchester City saw their record come to an end when they were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. They were replaced at the top of the table by Liverpool, who were inspired by a Mo Salah hat-trick as they beat Bournemouth 4-0 away from home to lead City by a point.

All the teams in the top six at the time of writing landed wins last week with Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester United also picking up wins, United earning their place in the top six by virtue of their 4-1 win over Fulham combined with Everton’s last gasp 2-2 draw with Watford on Monday night.

This weekend two of the top six clash again as the top side Liverpool take on Manchester United at Anfield in what is always one of the most eagerly awaited games of any Premier league season and what will be a stern test of Liverpool’s title credentials.

Remember, if you would like to have a bet on the game at Anfield this weekend, or indeed on any other top football or sporting event, then bet365 Sport is the place to head. New customers can sign up today using the current bet365 Sport New Player Bonus, which could see you earn up to £100 in bet credits.

However, before we preview the action for Sunday’s big clash at Anfield, let’s take a look at the full list of games in the Premier League, with the latest odds for the Full Time Result market on those matches provided by bet365.

Premier League Fixtures

Matchday 17

*Odds were correct as of 12pm on Wednesday 12^th December

Tips for the Premier League

Outlined below are our tips for the other nine fixtures in the Premier League taking place prior to the Liverpool v Manchester United clash on Sunday. We have put all these selections together into a ninefold accumulator bet.

• Manchester City v Everton – Home Win – 1/5
• Crystal Palace v Leicester – Draw – 11/5
• Huddersfield Town v Newcastle United – Draw – 21/10
• Tottenham v Burnley – Home Win – 1/6
• Watford v Cardiff City – Home Win – 8/13
• Wolves v Bournemouth – Home Win – Evens
• Fulham v West Ham – Away Win – 11/8
• Brighton v Chelsea – Away Win – 4/9
• Southampton v Arsenal – Away Win – 10/11

Place a £10 stake on this ninefold accumulator with bet365 and at the stated odds, this would return at 292.85/1, which means your £10 stake would see you land £2928.50 in winnings, plus you would also get your stake money returned.

If you fancy a bet or two that stands a greater chance of winning, then you may well be interested in the tips we have for the Liverpool v Manchester United game outlined below.

Liverpool v Manchester United Preview

A look at the recent record between the teams highlights that Manchester United have been dominant in this fixture over the last few years. Liverpool have won just one of the last ten games between the teams (and that was in the Europa League) and their last victory in the Premier League was way back when David Moyes was United manager in 2014.

However, in terms of recent form, the Reds are flying while United are stuttering, certainly in terms of the Premier League. Both teams have qualified for the knockout phase of the Champions League which will be a huge boost for both teams, but domestically the Reds have thrived, while United have struggled.

That said, United’s best performances in the league this season have tended to come against the better quality sides, especially when they drew 2-2 away at Chelsea and perhaps deserved to win that game.

I fully expect Mourinho to want to nullify Liverpool’s attack and keep things very tight, so I would not be surprised to see Lukaku operate as a lone front man, with Mane and either Martial (if fit) or Lingard supporting him from deep. That will allow him to operate a midfield trio of Fellaini, Matic and Herrera in front of what is a makeshift back four.

This should be a cracking game with so much on the line for both teams. A defeat for United would leave them almost 20 points adrift of Liverpool, but if the home side don’t win then they may well fall behind City in the League Table once again.

Probable Liverpool XI – (4-3-3) – Alisson, Milner, Robertson, Van Dijk, Matip, Henderson, Keita, Wijnaldum, Salah, Mane, Firmino

It is fair to say that Jurgen Klopp hasn’t had the best of things since locking horns with Jose Mourinho in England and he will likely pick a similar team to that which beat Napoli in midweek to get the job done at Anfield on Sunday. I expect the front three to remain unchanged, with perhaps the only change being Milner dropping to right back, allowing Keita to come into midfield.

That change may be necessary if Alexander Arnold is not fit, with Joe Gomez already ruled out. Other than that, I think Klopp will likely name mostly the same players that started the crucial win over Napoli and who also played well against Bournemouth last weekend, with perhaps the only change being Mane coming in for Shaqiri.

Probable Manchester United XI – (4-3-1-2) – De Gea, Valencia, Young, Bailly, Jones, Herrera, Matic, Fellaini, Mata, Lukaku, Lingard

Jose Mourinho has made no bones about coming to Anfield in recent years and shutting up shop in the hope of securing at least a draw and perhaps stealing a goal on the break and given that United drew at Anfield before beating Liverpool at Old Trafford last season, you can argue that his approach has worked well.

United do have plenty of injury concerns with Sanchez definitely out and real doubts over whether the likes of Bailly, Martial and Shaw will be fit. I do expect United to start with a very defensive minded midfield, Pogba likely to be on the bench and with just one recognised striker up front in Lukaku, though if Martial is fit enough to play, he could make the team in place of Lingard or Mata.

Liverpool v Man Utd Betting Tips

Full Time Result – Liverpool to win – 4/7

Manchester United have produced their best displays this season away from home but they will have seldom encountered a team quite so on form domestically as Liverpool. The Reds will know that their record over United in recent times is poor and that a win here would send a real message to Manchester City and the other title chasers. I think if Liverpool can grab one goal and force United to come out and attack more, then they can win this game even if United decide to go for the jugular.

Correct Score – Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United – 15/2

In the pressure cooker atmosphere at Anfield, I can see this game being somewhat controversial as most games with Man Utd and Liverpool are. I can see a referee’s decision being crucial and if one team can benefit, I think that may turn the game. That said, I think Liverpool are long overdue a win against United at home and given their form of late, I am backing them to get precisely that and I think 2-0 is the scoreline to back.