The English Premier League returns to our screens this weekend following the drama and excitement of the midweek UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League ties. The curtain lifts on round 17 on Friday, and we’re fast approaching the crucial halfway stage of the campaign. In many previous seasons, the team leading the league table heading into the new year usually goes on to lift the trophy, but EPL fans know we can take nothing for granted at this level.
A full Premier League fixture list opens on Friday evening at the City Ground, where Nottingham Forest targets three valuable points when hosting London club and title challengers Tottenham Hotspur. You can follow that game live on television from 20:00 GMT. But the focus of this article falls on Anfield, where Liverpool hosts Man Utd in one of English football’s best-loved fixtures.
Will the Reds delight the home crowd, or can Man Utd breathe life back into their quest for a top-four finish and return to the Champions League next term? Keep reading for our preview and predictions.
Reds lead the way
As we enter the latest round of fixtures from the English Premier League we note it’s all change at the highest level of professional football in the United Kingdom as the biggest teams battle over pole position. Tottenham enjoyed a few weeks at the top before Arsenal took over, and Man City also led the way for a while. Now it’s the turn of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool to lead, with the Reds perched atop the division, setting the pace for their rivals. The Reds enter the weekend at the top of the league, but how long will they remain there? Is this another false dawn for Liverpool’s support, or have Klopp’s men finally found their rhythm?
Only time will tell if Liverpool has what it takes to serve up a credible challenge for the title this term, but Klopp won’t allow his players to get too far ahead of themselves. The experienced boss knows they’ve worked hard to get ahead, but the real work starts now as the players must battle to defend the top spot. Liverpool enter this latest challenge on a long unbeaten run, and they’ve won their last three games. A tally of 37 points is impressive, but it’s one more than Arsenal in second and two more than Aston Villa in third.
Trouble in paradise
We’re not yet at Christmas, and players still have a hectic festive period to work through, but it has already been a rollercoaster season for Man Utd and its fans. They may be one of the few big clubs not to enjoy a brief spell atop the EPL, but followers have suffered a mixed bag of emotions in recent weeks. It seems to be a case of one step forward and two steps back for Man Utd, and that inconsistency could cost them dear this term. The best the club can hope for now is a top-four finish, as they appear to have fallen too far off the pace to be considered title challengers unless something remarkable happens.
Bet hereMan Utd traveled to Anfield for a critical game with their stats for the season so far, reading nine wins, no draws, and seven defeats with 18 goals scored and 21 conceded. A points tally of 27 has the Red Devils in sixth place, and despite an overreaction from some quarters of the media in England, there’s still plenty to play for this season at Old Trafford. Things aren’t nearly as bad as some of the tabloids would have you believe. United has 27 points on the board in what’s being sold as a woeful campaign, while the all-conquering Spurs are just three points better off in fifth. There’s more to come from this team.
Liverpool vs Man Utd prediction
There will be a capacity crowd packed inside Anfield for this early Christmas cracker, with millions more armchair fans watching the play live on television and live streaming apps. Liverpool vs Man Utd is one of the main attractions of the Premier League season, and we expect this renewal to live up to the hype and deliver a thrilling 90 minutes, but which team will come out on top? Will Liverpool pull clear, or can Man Utd keep things competitive?
Liverpool beat Man Utd 7-0 when the pair last met at Anfield, and although a repeat performance is highly unlikely, the manner in which the Reds won that day will be fresh in the memory of fans and pundits. Home advantage should give Klopp’s side the edge in this fixture, and if Liverpool is at its best, they should have enough momentum and confidence to win this game and add three crucial points.
Premier League odds
22Bet members can wager on the winner of Liverpool vs Man Utd, and there are many gambling marets to choose from. If you don’t already have an account with 22Bet, you can register today, deposit funds, and qualify for the welcome bonus, which can be used on this Premier League fixture. But which side will win?
Fancy home advantage to shine through? A win for Liverpool trades at 1.36, or you can try your luck on an important away win for Manchester United at 7.1. The Red Devils have yet to draw a game this season, and a first level finish is 5.6. You’ll also find many specials and unique bets, including both teams to score and the first goalscorer.
Make sure to bet on Liverpool vs Man Utd with 22Bet!
Bet here
