Michael Regan/Getty Images. Pictured: Manchester United standout Bruno Fernandes.
Manchester United vs. Liverpool Odds
| Manchester United Odds | +175 |
| Liverpool Odds | +160 |
| Draw | +240 |
| Over/Under | 2.5 (-121 / -103) |
| Day | Time | Sunday | 11:30 a.m. ET |
| TV | NBCSN |
| Odds updated Saturday afternoon via DraftKings. | |
When it comes to rivalries on the global stage, there might not be one any better than Liverpool vs. Manchester United. These legendary clubs renew their longtime feud Sunday when the Red Devils host the Reds at Old Trafford, with plenty at stake for the visitors.
These sides have met a whopping 206 times in their storied histories, with Liverpool holding an 81-67 edge in victories with the other 58 matches finished in a draw. The first time they met happened way back in 1895, when the Reds cruised to a 7-1 win over the Red Devils at Anfield.
Fast forward to this latest meeting and you have one club knowing its current destiny, while the other is fighting for its Champions League future. Manchester United is comfortably in second place in England’s top flight, sitting in second place with no concerns about not making the UCL field.
In contrast, Liverpool sits sixth in the standings and four points adrift of the league’s fourth UCL spot, which is currently held by Chelsea. Barring a shock collapse from the Blues, the Reds might have to win out and hope fifth-place West Ham United and third-place Leicester City crumble.
Manchester United
Things couldn’t be going any better for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær and the Red Devils. They’re on cruise control domestically, with no real fears of missing out on next season’s UCL competition. There is still the tiniest chance it could sneak up on first-place Manchester City, which is seven points clear, but in all likelihood that won’t happen.
On the international front, the club inched even closer to a spot in the Europa League final in Thursday’s 6-2 shellacking of Serie A side Roma in the first leg of their tie. Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani each scored twice, giving the Red Devils an almost insurmountable lead entering next week’s rematch.
Manchester United has been doing it on both sides of the pitch of late, scoring a combined 18 goals in its last seven matches across all competitions. Defensively, the Red Devils have kept nine clean sheets in their last 15 games. They’ve conceded just five goals in their last seven outings, earning three shutouts during that span.
Liverpool
The Reds have gotten the better of their counterparts of late, going unbeaten in nine of the last 10 league fixtures with the Red Devils. However, Manchester United took down Liverpool the last time they played, picking up a 3-2 win in an FA Cup fourth-round meeting on Jan. 24 at Old Trafford.
As previously mentioned, Jurgen Klopp and his men are in quite the precarious position. And if I’m being honest, they have no one to blame but themselves. Sure, the Reds are unbeaten in their last five league affairs, but let’s go back to the end of January to the absolutely brutal run of performances that changed their entire trajectory.
Following a Jan. 17 draw against Manchester United, Liverpool lost eight of its next 12 matches, including a ghastly seven defeats in league action. Shocking setbacks against Burnley, Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion highlighted the Reds’ woes, which are a big reason they’re in trouble.
Betting Analysis & Pick
Liverpool has much more on the line entering this affair than Manchester United. The Reds are in dire straits, with a spot in next year’s Champions League seemingly drifting away with every solid performance a club ahead of them on the table puts together.
This Red Devils side is tough to break down at the moment, plus they’re unbeaten in nine of their last 10 games against the Reds on home soil. The hosts have played to seven ties this season, their most in four decades in league play, so it wouldn’t surprise me if No. 8 goes into their account.
For those reasons, I’m going to take a swing on this match finishing in a draw at ripe +240 odds via DraftKings as my top pick. Combine the fact Klopp is winless in six tries at Old Trafford with the fact these teams have played to a stalemate 28 percent of the time, and you have to like your chances.
I will also sprinkle a little on the total staying under the alternative number of 2.75 goals at -129 for some extra action. Four of the last five meetings have finished with two goals or less, so I’m expecting that trend to continue.
Pick: Draw +240 | Total Under 2.75 Goals (-129)
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