England Round 32

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Manchester United vs Liverpool Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Manchester United:
Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Kambwala, Dalot; McTominay, Mainoo; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund

Liverpool:
Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Endo, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Luis Diaz

For the third time this season Manchester United and Liverpool will play each against other. They are the two most successful English clubs. United have won 62 trophies, while Liverpool 60. The club from Anfield have dominated English football from 1975 to 1990, winning 11 league titles and four European Cups. Manchester United, meanwhile, have dominated during Ferguson's era, from 1993. In that period the Red Devils won 13 league championships and two European Cups.

As I wrote above, this is the third derby this season. First they played a goalless draw at Anfield in December. It was a game in which Liverpool had total domination and 34 shots on goal, the most Liverpool have ever had in a Premier League game without scoring since 2003. But United "parked the bus" and somehow avoided to concede. The second was in March at Old Trafford. It was a completely different match, maybe because it was quarterfinal of the FA Cup. After the match ended 2:2 in the regular 90 minutes, the Red Devils won 4:3 after extra time.

Manchester United will be looking to bounce back from their stoppage-time 4:3 defeat to Chelsea on Thursday night, with Erik Ten Hag’s men conceding last-minute leads in both of their last two matches. The fans are disappointed and most probably the Red Devils will miss the Champions League next season. Even the fifth place look far away as Tottenham have 9 points more and superior goal-difference. Erik ten Hag has lot of injury issues. Two centre-backs, Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans, are struggling with injury and they are rated as doubtful. The 19-year-old Willy Kambwala should be primed to step in alongside Harry Maguire, as Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez were recently ruled out for a few weeks. Casemiro is also rated as doubtful, while Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial and Altay Bayindir remain sidlined.

Liverpool have 70 points, the most after 30 rounds. The Reds have beat Sheffield United on Thursday. It was a hard-fought victory. Darwin Nunez scored the opener, but the Blades equalized in the second half. Nevertheless, Klopp and his men didn't panic. Liverpool won 3:1 at the end thanks to strikes from Mac Allister and Gakpo. Wataru Endo, who missed the win over Shefffield, should be in contention for this match. Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota and goalkeeper Alisson Becker are very close to full fitness, but Joel Matip, Ben Doak, Thiago Alcantara, and Stefan Bajcetic remain sidelined. What is important to be mentioned, Liverpool have won just one match against 'Big-6' opposition - against Chelsea at home.

Manchester United vs Liverpool Prediction:

I expect an interesting match at Old Trafford. Both teams need the victory, Liverpool for the title, United for a spot in Europe. But Old Trafford isn't a desirable place for Klopp. On his ten visits, the German manager has won only twice. It won't be easy again. The whole pressure is on Liverpool. The home fans will enjoy to see Liverpool losing the first place. Manchester United have already upset Liverpool twice this season, so why not again.

Manchester United vs Liverpool Pick: Manchester United +0.5 AH @ 2.45 with Pinnacle