Two sides eager to make their case in the race for Champions League football as Manchester United welcome Liverpool to Old Trafford in the Premier League
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick has Man Utd on the verge of a spot in the Champions League(Image: Getty Images)
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Manchester United and Liverpool may be out of the title race, but Sunday’s Old Trafford showdown remains English football’s standout fixture — and it carries major top-five implications in the Premier League.
The bookies are edging on the side of caution with United priced at 6/5 with BetGoodwin to win the match while Liverpool are 9/5 with William Hill and a draw is 13/5 with Sky Bet. You can also find more betting offers at the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers.
United are on the brink of Champions League qualification under Michael Carrick. After a brief wobble in March and early April, they have responded with back-to-back narrow wins, beating Chelsea 1-0 before edging Brentford 2-1 on Monday through Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko. With four games left, they are 11 points clear of sixth-placed Brighton and will seal a Champions League spot with victory this weekend, with other results potentially making even a draw enough.
Carrick’s side have been strong since his appointment, accumulating 29 points in that period, which is the best run in the league since he started the interim role, and they have also been far improved at Old Trafford compared to last season. United beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield in October, have lost just one of the last six meetings in all competitions, and arrive on a 23-game scoring run.
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Liverpool begin the weekend three points behind United and know their own route is less straightforward. To guarantee Champions League football with three games to spare, they must win and also need Brighton and Bournemouth to drop points. Arne Slot’s side come in on a three-game league winning streak, most recently beating Crystal Palace 3-1 in a match overshadowed by protests over ticket prices.
Both sides have seen regular goals at both ends recently, and the form of Bruno Fernandes — with 27 Premier League goal contributions (8 goals, 19 assists) — only adds to the sense that chances will be plentiful again. Liverpool, however, have struggled against the very top, winning only one of their last 12 league matches against teams starting the day in the top three, and they will also be out for revenge after October’s home defeat — and last season’s 3-0 win at Old Trafford offers encouragement.
Man United vs Liverpool Prediction
Man United vs Liverpool Team News
Manchester United should have their attacking options available, with Matheus Cunha back in training after a minor hip issue, and there is optimism Luke Shaw will be fit despite going off last time out. Matthijs de Ligt (back) is out and Lisandro Martinez is suspended.
Bruno Fernandes is now one Premier League assist away from equalling the single-season record of 20.
Liverpool will be without Mohamed Salah (hamstring) and also have Jayden Danns, Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo and Giorgi Mamardashvili sidelined. Alisson Becker is a major doubt after not training, while Milos Kerkez has a niggle but Andrew Robertson is expected to start.
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