Fifth Plays Fourth As Liverpool Host United

Liverpool will look to defeat Manchester United tomorrow as they look to penetrate the top four in the closing stages of the season. The Merseyside club currently occupy fifth position in the league, just two points off United in fourth. Whilst they would supersede Louis van Gaal`s side with a win, they would also move to within three points of Arsenal in third. Should Liverpool lose at home tomorrow, their own status in the Europa League place would come into question with both Southampton and Tottenham just one point behind, the Saints with a vastly superior goal difference.

Whilst United would move below their North West rivals should they fail to pick up at least a point at Anfield, they would be able to move to within a point of the third placed Gunners with a victory. Indeed, a win would also see the Manchester side two points from their local rivals City in second.

Brendan Rogers` Liverpool have met Manchester United just once this season, that being in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford. On this occasion all three points went to the hosts with United scoring three without reply.

Two of these goals came in the first half, Wayne Rooney breaking the deadlock on the 12th minute before Juan Mata doubled up five minutes from half time. The only second half goal came from Robin Van Persie who put the game to bed with 20 minutes still to play.

Betvictor are offering a massive 60/1 on Manchester United winning by three goals to nil once again. Rooney is 7/1 (Betvictor, Stan James, william hill) to provide the opener once again whilst it`s 5/1 (betfair, Coral) on Mata scoring at any time. Dutchman Van Persie is currently sidelined through injury.

Whilst these prices might seem big for a team currently in fourth position, it is the result of Liverpool being the favourites to pick up all three points following their rapid rise up the Premier League table. Most bookmakers are offering the best price of 23/20 on the Anfield outfit scooping the win by any means tomorrow. Contrarily, van Gaal`s side are available at 37/13 at both 888sport and unibet to add another win to their tally. A draw is considered a slightly more likely outcome, that being touted at 5/2 at most betting establishments.

Liverpool are currently unbeaten in 14 games at home, their last victory in the North West city being recorded back in November when falling to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Chelsea. In their last five home matches in the top tier of English football, Rogers` men have bagged 13 points though they have not dropped a point in their last four.

The Merseyside club have scored at least two goals in all of their home Premier League games since a goalless draw with Sunderland back at the beginning of October. Coral`s 15/4 says that they can score over 2.5 goals against United.

Having converted three penalties in their last five home encounters, Steven Gerrard is the club`s top scorer in this period. Whilst he looks like he may be starting on the bench tomorrow, the former captain is a 4/1 (betway) shout to add to his tally at any time. betfair are offering 11/2 on the hosts being awarded a penalty.

Manchester United have picked up eight points from their last five games on their travels, hardly a great average for a team vying for a Champions League position. They have, however, scored in every single one of these games and it is possible to get both teams to score at a price of 4/5 (betfair).

Go To bet365

#Ad

21/03/2015     © Frixo 2024