Premier League preview – Liverpool v Manchester United

PROBABLE LINEUPS Liverpool (4-3-3):

Simon Mignolet; Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger, Jose Enrique; Jordan Henderson, Lucas Leiva, Steven Gerrard (C); Iago Aspas, Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge.

After two consecutive wins to start the new season, Rodgers will be tempeted to play with the same team that started both the games, but due to injuries the former Swansea boss will have change the winning formula. Toure is a major doubt after picking a groin injury against Notts County, making way for Skrtel to pair up with Agger in defence. Mignolet will start in goal with four-man defence of Johnson, Skrtel, Agger and Enrique protecting the goal. Henderson, Lucas and skipper Gerrard will form the three man midfield, while the in-form Sturridge is expected lead the line with the likes of Coutinho and Aspas supporting him on the flanks.

Manchester United (4-4-1-1): David De Gea; Phil Jones, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic (C), Patrice Evra; Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Danny Welbeck; Wayne Rooney; Robin van Persie.

Manchester United boss Moyes could stick with pretty much the same starting line-up that started on Monday night against Chelsea, for Sunday’s important trip to Liverpool. De Gea, as usual, will start in between the sticks with the back four of Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra in front of him. Carrick and Cleverley will form the midfield duo in the centre of the park supported by Valencia on the right wing and Welbeck on the left. Rooney is a major doubt for the game and if he does play, he will play in the hole behind Van Persie and if he does misses out then either Welbeck or Kagawa might feature.MATCH FACTS

• 3 – Liverpool have been winning at both half time and full time in their last 3 matches in the Premier League.
• 3 – Man Utd have won their last 3 matches against Liverpool in all competitions.
• 3 – There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Liverpool’s last 3 home games in the Premier League.
• 3 – Liverpool have won with a 1 goal margin in their last 3 home matches in the Premier League.
• 3 – Man Utd have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches against Liverpool in all competitions.
• 3 – David Moyes masterminded just 3 wins in 22 Premier League clashes with Liverpool when he was Everton manager (D7 L12). None of those wins came at Anfield (D6 L5).
• 4 – Liverpool have won their last 4 matches in the Premier League.
• 4 – Liverpool have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 4 matches against Man Utd in all competitions.
• 4 – Steven Gerrard has scored 4 goals in his last six Premier League appearances against Manchester United; including a goal in each of the last two encounters at Anfield.
• 8 – Manchester United have been given 8 red cards versus Liverpool in the Premier League; more than against any other team.
• 26 – Man Utd are undefeated in 26 of their last 28 matches in the Premier League.

REFEREEName - Andre MarrinerBased - MidlandsAge - 42Games - 2Yellow Cards - 8Red Cards - 1Penalties Awarded - 0MATCH ODDSLiverpool 13/8, Draw 9/4, Manchester United 9/5PREDICTIONA game of this magnitude and stature is always difficult to predict and is always a tense affair. Don’t expect anything different from this game. Liverpool have made an encouraging start to the new season having won both the games but it won’t be any easy against Manchester United. The hosts can feel hopeful because of captain Gerrard and Sturridge’s hot streak, but United have the best players who could turn the game on their head on their own. With Rooney getting back to his best and Van Persie in their ranks, United are the slight favourites and might just edge this one giving Moyes his first win at Anfield.

Predicted Score: Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United