Edgar Chaput
March 2, 2023

Liverpool FC vs Manchester United: Premier League Odds, Prediction

United enters the contest riding a considerable high, having earned respect and new spurs in three non-Premier League competitions. Conversely, Liverpool is trying to keep its head above water and maybe, just maybe, make a push for a top-four finish.

At the time of writing, Erik ten Hag’s group heads into the contest with +161 odds to Liverpool’s +141. The over-under flirts with 3 goals at 2.75 and a draw is +257.

Liverpool FC +140
Draw +259
Manchester United +161

Liverpool vs Manchester United Betting Analysis

These historic sides have clashed an astonishing 137 times in all competitions, with Manchester holding a 90-68-80 edge (win-draw-loss). Up until last August, the Reds had been riding a three-game win streak over their oldest and most bitter rivals.

Given the vastly different campaigns the clubs had a year ago, both contests were conquered emphatically by Jürgen Klopp’s men. Liverpool earned a double over Man United, shocking pundits by thrashing their opponents 5-0 and 4-0.

Under the guidance of a new manager in ten Hag, United is a legitimate threat in the league, is almost sure to finish in the top four, just won the Carabao Cup, and eliminated Barcelona in the Round of 16 of the Europa League. What’s more, they bested Liverpool last August 2-1 in an early showcase of what they would accomplish this season.

Liverpool’s momentum is delicate. Sometimes they appear to find their stride, only for calamity to ensue, such as the 5-2 drubbing suffered in the Champions League last week and a pedestrian 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace that followed.

Liverpool

The first two minutes of their Champions League clash with Real Madrid were brilliant. The remaining 80 were a disaster as the Spanish side crushed Liverpool 5-2. Liverpool failed to pick themselves up away to Crystal Palace a few days later, with that contest ending 0-0.

A mid-week match against visiting Wolverhampton was another opportunity to restore some pride. As per usual, Liverpool controlled much of the play (56.8 per cent possession, 528 passes to Woves’ 402). The real question was whether or not the hosts could break down the opposition’s defence. Were it not for a brave save by the keeper Alisson, Liverpool might have been down 1-0 at halftime. A pretty Darwin Nunez goal was cancelled upon further review, but rather than frustrate, it only emboldened the Reds’ resolve. Two goals inside four minutes (73^rd and 77^th) from Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah finally broke the deadlock. The second was a brilliant outbreak from the left flank by Konstantinos Tsimikas that found a sprinting Salah in the box for a clever one-timer. Liverpool wins 2-0.

Manchester United

United haven’t partaken in any Premier League action since Feb 19, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t been occupied in the intervening two weeks. They accomplished the impressive feat of bouncing Barcelona out of the Europa League over two legs and last Sunday had their first opportunity under ten Hag to lift silverware.

The Carabao Cup final pitted them against Newcastle. It made for an intriguing matchup. Two clubs that have defied expectations this season, each wanting glory to show that they have made significant strides. The Magpies pressed the issue early, with Allan Saint-Maximin showcasing some brilliant footwork that troubled United defenders but not keeper David de Gea. As the contest wore on, Manchester found its legs and began pressing more and finding space in Newcastle’s defence. Casemiro opened his side’s tally and Marcus Rashford, the man of the hour, added a second. United would hold on for a 2-0 win to win the Carabao Cup. Since then, they’ve taken care of West Ham in the fifth round of the FA Cup, 3-1. Could United be heading for a cup double?