Sunday’s big game sees Liverpool hosting their great rivals Manchester United, attempting to cement their lead at the top of the Premier League.
Buoyed by Manchester City’s draw at home to Crystal Palace yesterday, Liverpool know that victory today will see them move 16 points clear, with a game in hand.
But there is nothing United would enjoy more than puncturing the home team’s title credentials. And they do have the fact that they have already drawn with Liverpool this season – the only team to have stopped the Reds winning in the league!
That’s where the good news stops for the visitors. Liverpool are rested, while United had to play a tough FA Cup replay midweek; Liverpool are getting key players back from injury, while United look likely to miss Marcus Rashford (among others) with a back issue; and Liverpool are brim full of confidence, while United’s points tally of 34 after 22 games is their lowest since the 1989-90 campaign.
Still, United know they have to compete fiercely to stand a chance. Young left back Brandon Williams has had an impressive start to his career, but has racked up four yellows in five starts. He will have his work cut out facing Mo Salah and an overlapping Trent Alexander-Arnold. We think another booking is likely.
Our second selection in this match is something of a punt. Sadio Mane has been in excellent form this season, scoring 11 times in his 20 league games. Coming in off his left wing, he will be a threat to get on the end of a cross from the right, probably from TAA. We’ll take the 11/1 on offer that he scores a header.
The early game sees Leicester travel to Burnley, trying to maintain their run for a Champions League place.
The hosts have hit a sticky patch – they have lost seven times in their last nine league games, scoring only once in their last four.
We think Leicester looked sluggish in their last game, a surprise home defeat to Southampton. But the lack of a midweek game will have given them a chance to refresh the batteries, and we expect a more committed performance today,
James Maddison has been one of their stars this season, forcing his way into the full England squad with his performances. Four of his six league goals have come from outside the area, and we’ll take a punt bye tries his hand from distance again.
Recommendations:
Liverpool/Man Utd:
Williams to be booked, 1 pt, at 13/5, Betway
Mane to score a header, 1 pt, at 11/1, Betway
Burnley/Leicester:
Maddison to score from outside the penalty area, 1 pt, at 10/1, SkyBet
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