Manchester United vs Liverpool Match Preview
Vinolin Naidoo is back! This week we get his verdict on the second biggest Premiership match of the season after the fixture at Anfield. How’s he going to call it? A win on the day or a bore draw? Read on and see.
Match Preview
The biggest football game in England takes place once again on Saturday at Old Trafford. Manchester United vs Liverpool will bring the nation to a standstill at lunchtime. All around the world fans will be eagerly anticipating this encounter. Billed as, the two biggest clubs in England this rivalry will pit second vs third and the winner gaining bragging rights and further cement their place in the top 4 for this season. Managers Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho will both have their players pumped up for this game. The Reds come into this key encounter with the knowledge that they are in the hat for the quarterfinals of the Champions League. However, for the Red Devils a second leg against Sevilla looms this coming midweek. Both teams come into this game in good form but as with all rivalries, form goes out the window.
Last Meeting: Liverpool Manchester United (14th October 2017)
The last meeting at Old Trafford between both sides ended in a 1-1 draw. A late Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal canceled out James Milner’s first-half penalty. The last game at Anfield between these two sides this season also ended in a draw, 0-0. Jose Mourinho got his tactics spot on that day and the Reds were unable to get through the ‘parked bus.’ The last four encounters between these sides have all been draws.
José Mourinho's tatics board has been leaked for tomorrow's game against Liverpool (smileyface) #MANLIV #BUSPARKED pic.twitter.com/JHUH4ndZH0
— Seamy Gray (@dallypool8) March 9, 2018
Team and Injury News
The home side will be without some key first-team regulars for this encounter. Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and Daley Blind are all ruled out with injury. Anthony Martial is struggling as well but could occupy a place on the bench.
Liverpool have a clean bill of health for this game, however, the game may come too soon for the fit-again Georginio Wijnaldum. Expect Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk to return to the starting lineup after being rested against Porto midweek.
Predicted Lineup
MUN (4-3-3): De Gea, Valencia, Lindelof, Smalling, Young, Matic, Pogba, McTominay, Lingard, Sanchez, Lukaku
LFC (4-3-3): Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Lovren, Robertson, Henderson, Can, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mane, Salah, Firmino
Prediction
Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool – This encounter should be a good game and both teams will be well aware that a win will go a long way for their top 4 chances this season. Based on how the league table is currently, I can see both teams settling for a point apiece and solidifying their league positions. Expect a goal apiece from Mo Salah and Anthony Martial.
Follow Vinolin on Twitter: @vinolin_naidoo