Liverpool vs. Manchester United soccer pick

Surely after the excitement of last weekend there's no way any game can come close this weekend, unless it's Manchester United versus Liverpool at Old Trafford.

As things stand in the table, Manchester United are just two points behind Manchester City after their incredible, Lazarus-like returned from 3-0 down away to Chelsea on Sunday. That match has already been described as the match of the season. Technically it was two points dropped in the race for the title by the Champions, but the manner in which the Red Devils refused to give up will have sent a clear message across the city of Manchester to their noisy neighbours and give them a clear warning that this year's Premier League title race is far from over.

Soccer odds list Manchester United at 37/20 to win the league this year while sportsbooks offer Manchester City at 61/100, and Liverpool are very much an outside soccer pick at 750/1.

Hardly the cat’s whiskers

Liverpool took on Tottenham in Monday night’s damp squib of a game that ended goalless and pretty much excitementless (save for the cat on the pitch, 11 minutes in). Liverpool owe it to their fans, neutrals, and themselves to give a decent performance the next time they take to the pitch.

It's worth noting that the last three times these two sides have met in all competitions, Liverpool have remained undefeated, winning twice and drawing the game in the middle. However it’s more important to notice that each of those three games were played at Anfield, and the last two times this fixture was played at Old Trafford it was Manchester United who came out on top.

This time around sports betting odds offer an away win at 10/3 and a home win is at 5/6, while a draw is at 13/5. I'm half tempted to back a draw (but won't) as only once out of the past five meetings between these two clubs has the game been decided by more than a single goal. That big win was a Premier League meeting on the 6^th of March when Liverpool won 3-1, a score that is available at 33/1 this time, and those odds should tell you something.

If you want to pick the correct score, you should be aware that Manchester United scored in each and every one of the last five meetings between these sides and Liverpool have scored in four of them. Therefore a Liverpool win will probably still see the Scousers concede at least a goal, so avoid 1-0 at 11/1 and start investing at 2-1 and 3-2 which are at 12/1 and 40/1, respectively.

Adding up all the goals that the two sides have scored in their last five meetings gives Liverpool eight and Manchester United 10. That would suggest, combined with the fact that this game is being played at Old Trafford and United are riding high on the crest of a draw that must feel like a FA Cup final victory, you should back at home victory.

The maths says it will probably be another close encounter, as the last two meetings between these two sides at Old Trafford were separated by a single goal, 1-0 in January 2011 and 3-2 in September 2010. A rerun of those scores is available at 13/2 and 25/1, although I’d be more tempted to bet on 2-1 to the champions, which is available at 15/2. 

Kop Kings VRS Comeback Kings

Liverpool seemed to have turned a huge corner after their embarrassing 3-1 defeat away to Bolton Wanderers on 21^st January and they have won two and drawn one of their games since. If you want to try and spin some cash out of this game go for the half time/full time results, the shortest odds are on Manchester United winning both halves at 15/8, but you might want to back either a half-time draw and a United victory at 15/4 or Liverpool leading at the break and United winning the game at 20/1.

My crystal ball shows me revenge for the last three defeats that United have suffered at Liverpool's hands and a comfortable victory.