It will be a hostile atmosphere when United take on arch rivals Liverpool this weekend, and Sir Alex’s side are slightly odds-on at 1.91 with Paddy Power to come out on top in what promises to be a real hard fought battle.
The game sees Patrice Evra come face to face with Luis Suarez for the first time since the Liverpool striker was banned for eight games after racially abusing the United defender and the role of referee Phil Dowd will be crucial.
The good news as far as United are concerned team wise is that Tom Cleverley looks set to be involved after three months on the sidelines with an ankle injury.
Chris Smalling should also be fit, and they don’t have any major injury worries to key players.
The stats are also good as far as this fixture is concerned, as The Red Devils have won six of the last seven meetings between the two sides at old Trafford.
They have also lost just two of their last 15 games in the PL, and were arguably unlucky not to beat Chelsea after coming back from 3-0 down to share the spoils at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
Wayne Rooney was outstanding in that game and is due a goal against the scousers. However the player that interests me in the first scorer market is definitely Chicharito.
The gaffer admitted after the Chelsea game that he had made a mistake in not giving him a start, as he looked real threat when coming on with his pace and runs causing all sorts of trouble for the Chelsea defence.
I think he will give him a start in this, as he is just the type of player that will cause the Liverpool back line a major headache.
Indeed, he has also scored in the final 10 minutes of the last two Premier League games between the two sides so he clearly knows the key to unlocking the visitor’s defence.
He is a 6.5 shot with Paddy Power to net the opener and 2.7 with the same firm to score anytime.
Both prices make plenty of appeal from a punting perspective, although Rooney also looks big to net anytime during the 90 minutes at 2.2 with bet365. Many firms go odds-on, and given that he is the penalty taker odds against is certainly value for a player in terrific form.
Although any win for United will be sweet, I fancy them to win this 2-1 or 3-1 if you like a flutter in the correct score markets.
The former is an 8.5 chance with bet365, while the latter is a 15 shot with Betfred and Boylesports.
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