Premier League: Manchester United vs Liverpool – Betting Tips, Odds & Prediction

Manchester United and Liverpool clash at Old Trafford this Monday morning New Zealand time. It’s a Premier League fixture that could go a long way toward settling the top-four picture.

United are third on 61 points. Liverpool are fifth on 58, and three points here would bring them level. I’m expecting goals, and in this Manchester United vs Liverpool preview I’ve got a play combining the result with the goals market for a price north of $3.50 on football betting tips pages across New Zealand.

Manchester United

Michael Carrick has transformed this club. United have won six of their last seven at Old Trafford and collected 36 home points this season – 12 more than they managed last term. Benjamin Sesko has 10 Premier League goals and scored the opener against Brentford in the 2-1 win on Monday. Bryan Mbeumo has nine goals and three assists, though he went missing in the loss at Newcastle.

Bruno Fernandes is the player everything goes through. He swung in the cross for Harry Maguire’s winner at Anfield in October, and his set-piece delivery has been one of United’s most reliable weapons all season.

Matheus Cunha missed the Brentford match with a hip flexor problem but returned to training on Thursday. Luke Shaw was forced off against Brentford, and I’d be surprised if he’s fully fit. Lisandro Martinez is suspended – the final game of a three-match ban.

Team News: De Ligt and Martinez are out. Shaw is a major doubt. Cunha trained this week and is expected to feature. Dorgu and Yoro were on the bench against Brentford after returning from lengthy injuries.

Predicted Lineup: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Yoro, Dorgu; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko.

Liverpool

Liverpool have won three straight after a wobble that included a loss at Brighton and a draw with Tottenham. Alexander Isak scored in the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace last time out, and Cody Gakpo has been one of their most consistent performers.

Mohamed Salah picked up a minor muscle injury against Palace and is ruled out. Liverpool confirmed he’s expected to play again before the season ends, but he won’t feature here. Hugo Ekitike ruptured his Achilles in the Champions League too, so Slot is short on forward options.

Florian Wirtz will need to do even more without Salah. He’s been Liverpool’s best signing this season, and his ability to find space between the lines is what United’s midfield will need to police. I imagine Slot goes with Federico Chiesa on one flank and Gakpo on the other.

Alisson missed the last seven games but was close to a return before the Palace match. Getting him back for Old Trafford would be huge.

Team News: Salah, Ekitike, Bradley, Leoni, Endo, Bajcetic, and Mamardashvili are all out. Alisson could return.

Predicted Lineup: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Mac Allister; Chiesa, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.

• Manchester United have scored in 22 consecutive Premier League matches.
• Liverpool have conceded in seven of their last eight away league games.
• United won the reverse fixture 2-1 at Anfield on October 19, with Mbeumo and Maguire scoring.
• Three or more goals have been scored in each of the last five head-to-head meetings.
• United have won just three of their last 19 Premier League meetings with Liverpool.

United need a point. Liverpool need three. Slot can’t afford to play conservatively here, and that should open the game up.

I’m backing United. Six wins from seven at Old Trafford speaks for itself. Liverpool actually have the rest advantage, having played Saturday compared to United’s Monday night, but I don’t think that offsets Salah’s absence and the defensive frailties they’ve carried on the road. Isak and Wirtz can still hurt you, but United at home with Champions League qualification on the line should have enough.

I’m tipping 2-1 to United. If you’re browsing the NZ betting sites for this one, the goals market is where I’m focused given how porous both defences have been.

Manchester United to Win and Over 2.5 Goals @ $3.70

Every one of the last five meetings between these two has produced three or more goals. United have scored in 22 straight league games. Liverpool have conceded in seven of eight away. With Liverpool needing to push forward, there should be space for United to exploit on the counter.

I could see this finishing 2-1 or 3-1. Sesko’s movement against stretched defences is dangerous, and Fernandes will have time on the ball if Liverpool commit numbers forward. At $3.70 for a result that fits the pattern of recent meetings, I’m happy to back it on the best live betting sites.