United vs Liverpool – It’s finally here!

There was a time when Liverpool FC were the team to beat in the old English first division. Times have changed and Manchester United became the top dog in the Barclay’s Premier League. Times have changed once again and now neither of them is the benchmark for the whole division. So what is the relevance of the derby to the league at this point in time? Things are not as bleak for Manchester United as they were a month back when they narrowly lost to their inter-city rivals Manchester City FC. They are currently on a five match winning streak. Manager Louis Van Gaal is certainly getting his team together and they are slowly moving in the right direction. With the injured Angel Di Maria expected to return to the squad, the trio of him, Robin Van Persie and Rooney is expected to get them over the line, and with aplomb.

Incidentally Manchester United FC are third in the league table, just five points behind the second placed Manchester City FC. Last season, Liverpool FC finished second on the league table and naturally a lot was expected of them this year as well. Unfortunately so far they have only fired blanks, currently at the ninth position on the league table with 21 points. In the last six matches they have lost three, won two and drawn the other.  With Mario Balotelli expected to be back from his groin injury, manager Brendan Rodgers will depend on him and Steven Gerrard for Liverpool FC to get something out of this game.

HEAD TO HEAD:
In the last ten matches between the two teams, Manchester United have won five, Liverpool four and the teams split points for one. Matches at the Old Trafford between the heavyweights have resulted in four wins and a draw for Manchester United FC.

RECENT GOALS:
There have been about 2.5 goals per game for Liverpool in the last 14 away games.
United have scored at least 2 goals in their last 4 games and their last 15 home games have an average of 2 United goals per game.

MANAGERS:
Rodgers has been going through managerial hell this season, while Van Gaal has rebuilt his team pretty well, and seems comfortable in his current position.

Old Trafford will definitely be filled to the brim to witness one of the most anticipated clashes of the season, though not for the title as in the past days.

Irrespective of team standings and performances, there are very few football matches that can match up to the sheer emotion in a MUFC LFC game. Let the battle begin!

Predicted Lineups:

United: (3-4-1-2)
De Gea, Evans, Carrick, Tojo, Valencia, Fellaini, Herrera, Young, Mata/Maria, Rooney, van Persie

Liverpool: (4-2-3-1)
Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno, Hendo, Gerrard, Coutinho, Lallana, Sterling, Balotelli/Lambert

Predicted Scoreline:
Manchester United 2 – 1 Liverpool