United are now a huge nine points clear of Chelsea at the top of the division, and although the Blues have a game in-hand with the early kick-off there is a chance Fergie’s side will extend that lead further to a big-looking 12 points.
Chelsea do play later in the day at Portsmouth, but because of United’s lead they have become an unbackable price in the Premiership outright betting at around 2/9, with this sure to be nearer 1/10 if they can beat Liverpool here. However, for me at those odds, and with Chelsea looking to have a great chance of a weekend win, this could easily be the most important day so far in the title race. If the Blues win and United lose, which is perfectly feasible, the gap will be back down to 6 points with Chelsea having a game in-hand. So, the 4/1 on offer at this stage for Chelsea to peg then back looks worth taking, with the added option of trading the bet out after the weekend’s events.
Back to this game, and as always there will be no love lost between bitter rivals Liverpool and Manchester United, but although the Merseysiders can try to upset the applecart and hamper their title charge it would be a game of more interest if there was a bit more resting on it from both camps.
Liverpool are into third in the table and still fighting for a Champions League slot, but win-lose-or draw here to me European football looks assured anyway. As always the bookies are finding it hard to split the pair with them both around the 7/4 mark in the match odds, with the stalemate 11/5. Because of the tight nature then all three outcomes will be popular with the weekend punters, but if you can stick your neck out on a selection then you will be rewarded with a nice price.
Liverpool will draw confidence from Arsenal’s 2-1 win at home over Fergie’s team and Rafa Benitez will also be reminding his team that they are still one of only three teams who are unbeaten at home in the league – P14 W11 D3 L0.
Man Utd will of course be no pushovers knowing that they can go 12 points clear and have rested a few key players in the FA Cup tie in midweek with this game in mind, but they did lose to West Ham on their travels, only just scrapped by Fulham last Saturday also on the road and in midweek almost made a mess of things against Reading after being 3-0 up.
Liverpool on the other-hand have had a nice break, having not played since last Saturday’s 4-0 thumping over Sheffield Utd, and will of course still be reeling in ‘THAT WIN’ at the Nou Camp.
So, for me with the Reds on the crest of a wave at present it might be worth just sticking with them and hope they can deliver what all neutrals are hoping for and that’s to defeat the league leaders and spark the title race back into life.
Overall league head-to-heads have the pair evenly matched with Liverpool on 49 wins, Man Utd on 55 and 43 draws, but the last two times Liverpool hosted the game they resulted in a 1-0 for the Reds and a 0-0 draw.
Looking at clashes further back I don’t expect many goals in the fixture with four of the last five having fewer than 2.5 goals, and three of them ending 1-0. Based on this the 7/10 on there being under 2.5 goals is a must bet, while a small interest on a 1-0 Liverpool win is also advised at 15/2.
Recommended bets
2pts - Liverpool to win
3pts - Under 2.5 goals
1pt - Liverpool to win 1-0
2pts - Chelsea to win the Premiership
* All prices correct at time of writing.
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