Premier League preview and odds: Manchester United vs Liverpool

Published on: 13/01/2017

Premier League preview and odds: Manchester United vs Liverpool

January 15, 2016 16:00pm - Old Trafford

Referee: M. Oliver

Premier League

Manchester United will look to move to within two points of their arch rivals Liverpool when the two meet at Old Trafford on Sunday. The visitors themselves can maintain the pressure on league leaders Chelsea with a win.

United back on track for top four finish

After a slow start to the season under new boss Jose Mourinho, Manchester United have edged their way back up the Premier League table and are now just three points away from fourth-ranked Manchester City.

The Red Devils have won their last six Premier League matches in a row and are unbeaten in their last 11. Their only defeat in their last 15 came away from home at league leaders Chelsea. United`s improvement has come by way of efficiency rather than flair, something that was evident when the teams played out a 0-0 draw at Anfield back in October.

They come into this game on the back of a 2-0 League Cup Semi-final first-leg win at home to Hull City. Prior to that, they cruised to a 4-0 win at home to Championship side Reading in the FA Cup.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have hit a poor patch of form by their current high standards, having failed to win any of their last three matches in all competitions. They kicked off 2017 with a disappointing 2-2 draw away to Sunderland in the Premier League, before drawing 0-0 with Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup - albeit with a second string side. In their last game, they fell 1-0 away to Southampton in the League Cup Semi-final first-leg.

The good news for the Reds is that they have lost just one of their last 18 Premier League matches and are still right in the title race. A win at Old Trafford would give them a massive boost with a crunch game against Chelsea just two weeks away.

Team news

James Wilson is still out injured for the home side, while Eric Bailly is away on African Cup of Nations duty. There are also doubts surrounding the fitness of Zlatan Ibrahimovic (illness) and Marcos Rojo (muscle).

Meanwhile, the visitors will be boosted by the return of Philippe Coutinho but will have to make do without the services of Sadio Mane, who is representing Senegal in the African Cup of Nations.

Further doubts for the Reds include Marko Grujic, Jordan Henderson and Joel Matip, who will all be subject to late fitness tests.

Recent form (League):

Manchester United: WWWWW

Liverpool: DWWWWL

Betting odds and tips

Jurgen Klopp has guided his team to six wins, six draws and just one defeat against the current top-six during his time in charge at Anfield - an impressive record by anyone`s standards. In contrast, United`s record against the top six this season reads won two, drawn two and lost two.

As a result, Liverpool should be the dominant force in this game but they have wobbled recently and may once again struggle to break down their resilient opponents. At 8/11, the Liverpool/Draw Double Chance looks decent value.

You can back the Liverpool/Draw Double Chance at a best price of 8/11 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 13/01/2017

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (13/01/2017 12:35:12) but are subject to change.