- United are 3rd with 61 points from 34 games, Liverpool 4th with 58 points from the same 34 games.
- Liverpool have scored 1.47 and conceded 1.53 goals per game on their travels in the Premier League.
Northwest Derby to feature goals at both ends
Liverpool have won three of their last five Premier League games and drawn one, losing one, while Manchester United have won three, drawn one and lost one over the same period.
United, who won 2-1 at Liverpool six months ago, are on a two-game winning streak that includes a 2-1 home win over Brentford and a 1-0 away win at Chelsea.
Michael Carrick has improved their performances and results since reverting to the 4-2-3-1 system and making them hard to beat, rather than the all-out pressing game that had the team running on the spot.
He has added some control to their transitions, which should suit them against the Reds, who are more technical and build up from the back. Slot has used selective pressing, but with lots of central overloads and control of the tempo since joining in July 2024.
Slot’s possession-based game appears to suit Liverpool better, although both teams will surely have enough to win a place in the Champions League next season. This clash is also about bragging rights in the Northwest Derby, so every challenge will be met.
Carrick’s men have the class to edge it
Liverpool are dangerous going forward, but they will be vulnerable to the counter-attack because of their pressing nature. United’s Bruno Fernandes is the master of the quick passing game and has produced 19 assists in just 31 Premier League appearances this term.
He has five assists in his last five games and Casemiro, with three goals in United’s last five, is also a goal threat in midfield. United have scored 1.94 and conceded 1.18 per home Premier League game this season.
So take a home United win at 141/100 as the Reds may just come out on the wrong end of an end-to-end clash at Old Trafford. The visitors have won seven, drawn three and lost seven of 17 Premier League away games this term, conceding an average of 1.53 goals per contest.
Liverpool’s away games average 3.00 goals, so over 2.5 goals at 11/25 and both teams to score at 2/5 is the best punt in the match result market. United have not won any of the last three meetings at Old Trafford, but we think they will do so on Sunday.
