Liverpool v Man United
17 Jan 2016 16:00 Liverpool v Man United
Liverpool are coming into this match in some fairly mixed form, and after the 3-3 draw with Arsenal, Jurgen Klopp’s side now sit in 9th place on 31 points. Liverpool are now 5 points off a Champions League place and their recent home record reads a decent looking W7, D4, L4.
When hosting the elite sides, Liverpool’s record again reads a decent looking W5, D1, L4 and here they can be backed at around 2.30 and this does not look to offer any real value.
The recent head-to-head record at Anfield is certainly mixed and reads Liverpool 2 wins, 1 draw and Manchester United 2 wins.
The draw can be backed at around 3.35 and this looks to offer some decent value, and should be given some serious consideration.
Manchester United are also coming into this game in some very mixed form and after their exciting 3-3 draw at Newcastle, Louis van Gaal’s side have now only won 1 of their last 8 Premier League matches and currently they sit in 5th place on 34 points, which is now ?9 points behind leaders Arsenal. Manchester United’s recent away record reads a very mixed looking W5, D4, L6.
When facing sides placed in the top half of the Premier League, again Van Gaal’s side’s record is mixed and reads W3, D3, L4. Here Manchester United can be backed at around 3.60 and this looks to offer some value. If you do fancy the Red Devils to do well here then you are probably best keeping the draw on your side and United can be backed on the +0.0/0.5 goal handicap at around 2.00.
As far as goals are concerned and with the line set at 2.0/2.5 then there is certainly a leaning to overs. When looking at both sides' last 10 home and away games against similar opposition, we see that 12 games have seen 3 or more goals, 3 have seen 2 and only 5 games have seen 1 or less. Indeed only 3 of Liverpool’s last 21 home games have seen 1 or less goal scored and Over 2.0/2.5 goals can be backed at around 2.01.
This has to be one of the most intriguing fixtures between these 2 sides in many a season. Both teams are yet to show any real consistency, and if recent form is anything to go by both sides could miss out on the Champions League places this year. Although Liverpool traditionally raise their game against the better sides the value here lies with Manchester United. The draw also has to be given some serious consideration. For my trade I am going to turn to the goal line, where the value lies with the overs. Indeed 13 of the last 16 Premier League meetings between the 2 sides have seen 3 or more goals. So my recommended trade is Over 2.0/2.5 goals at around 2.02.