English Premier League Odds: Manchester United vs. Liverpool

This weekend’s English Premier League schedule wraps up Sunday with the most important match on the slate as Liverpool, second in the league table, visit sixth-place Manchester United. After a busy schedule over the holidays and then a bit of a break, it’s now considered the second half of the Premier League season as the push for the championship begins.

Manchester United vs. Liverpool

:Manchester United +109, Liverpool +244, draw +234

Over/under: 2.5 goals

Date: Sunday, Jan. 15, 11 a.m. ET

Location: Old Trafford

Manchester United

The Red Devils sit on 39 points in the Premier League, 10 behind leader Chelsea and three out of fourth, which guarantees a Champions League spot next season. The January transfer window is open in the EPL but Man U boss Jose Mourinho says his team is unlikely to buy now and instead wait for the summer. Mourinho has identified Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko as his priority summer target. Before this season, United brought in big names such as Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is second in the league with 13 goals. Chelsea’s Diego Costa leads with 14.

Manchester United is rolling right now, going unbeaten in all competitions in their past 15 matches and winning nine in a row following a 2-0 victory over Hull City in the first leg of their EFL Cup semifinal on Tuesday. Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini scored with Ibrahimovic out with an illness and Marcos Rojo missing due to injury. Ibrahimovic is expected to play vs. Liverpool, but Rojo is in question. Ibrahimovic has the highest odds of scoring the first goal, at +385.

United have allowed only three goals in the winning streak, the side’s longest since an 11-game run in February 2009. United’s last non-victory was a 1-1 draw at Everton on Dec. 4.

Wayne Rooney could make history on Sunday as he’s level with Sir Bobby Charlton on the all-time Manchester United goal-scorers list at 249. Rooney also could become the 21st player all time to reach 450 career Premier League appearances, should he play. Rooney is listed at +678 to score the first goal.

Liverpool

The Reds are on 44 points and second in the table, five behind Chelsea. Liverpool lost in the first leg of its EFL Cup semifinal on Wednesday, 1-0 to Southampton with just two on-target shots. Jurgen Klopp’s side finished runners-up in the competition last season, and the second leg vs. Southampton is at Anfield on Jan. 25.

The one bright spot in the match was the return of Reds star Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian had been out since late November with an ankle injury and entered as a 61st-minute substitute, indicating that Coutinho should be fit enough to play against Manchester United. He is fourth on the team with five goals. However, Joel Matip and Jordan Henderson were out vs. Southampton and are in doubt for the clash against United. Daniel Sturridge has the highest odds on Sports Interaction to score first for Liverpool at +622.

Liverpool’s leading scorer is Sadio Mane with nine goals, but he is away from the club until likely early February to play for his native Senegal in the African Cup of Nations. In Premier League action, the Reds are unbeaten in their past six. They last played Jan. 2 and drew at Sunderland, 2-2.

Manchester United vs. Liverpool Predictions

This will be the 50th Premier League meeting between the sides. United have won 27 of the 49 with nine draws. The Red Devils also have won eight of their past 10 at home against Liverpool. The teams met in October at Anfield and drew 0-0. It was the first draw between the rivals in the Premier League since October 2011.
Take Manchester United to win, with projected exact score of 1-0 (+681).