Although both Liverpool and Manchester United are still alive in the Champions League, both clubs want to ensure that they will take part in the tournament next season.
Both clubs have waved goodbye to their chances of winning the Premier League. Manchester City has a commanding lead and only something utterly ludicrous would keep them from winning the trophy. However, spots two through four in the table are going to be where the real fight is at over the last couple months of the season.
These two teams, along with Tottenham and Chelsea, are duking it out for those spots. The loser in this game of musical chairs will likely miss out on the Champions League and instead have to play in Europa League, an event most top teams would rather miss.
Liverpool and Manchester United are currently in second and third, and both would like to stay right where they are.
Don't miss the English Premier League action from Old Trafford at 7:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 10, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on NBCSN.
EPL Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Liverpool +167
Manchester United +164
Draw +237
Over/Under 2.5
Odds Analysis
Liverpool is in fantastic form at the moment. The Reds are surging right now and only Manchester City looks like a clearly better team in England. Liverpool just made it to the Quarterfinals of the Champions League following a listless second leg against Porto and are now looking to keep the momentum going in the Premier League. The club has four wins and a draw over its last five Premier League matches and has scored at least two goals in five straight
The Red Devils have skidded the other way. They have lost two of their last five in the Premier League, and struggled to get past Crystal Palace in their last match. Manchester United will no doubt have at least an eye towards the future with the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 clash with Sevilla coming up on Tuesday.
Key Injuries
For virtually the entirety of the season, Liverpool has been without right back Nathaniel Clyne, and the Reds will not have him in the lineup again this week. Clyne has already been ruled out, but he finally looks set to return sometime this month.
The bigger concern is midfielder and team captain Jordan Henderson. Henderson suffered a dead leg against Porto according to manager Jurgen Klopp, but Klopp insists he will be ready to play for this one. Still, that is something to keep in mind leading up to this fixture.
Manchester United have far greater injury worries than Liverpool. Ander Herrera and Daley Blind have already been declared out, and Phil Jones, Marouane Fellaini, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have been long-term scratches.
Two others on the injury list may play, but we’ll see as it gets closer to kickoff. Defender Marcus Rojo is considered doubtful, but there is a chance he plays. Forward Anthony Martial is considered a gametime decision.
Player to Watch
Without some of their primary offensive weapons, others will need to play well for Manchester United in this one. Midfielder Nemanja Matic is the one to watch here. Matic is currently golden in the eyes of United fans after scoring an injury-time winner to give the club the win on the road against Crystal Palace
Matic is not a goal scorer, but he is considered one of the top defensive midfielders in the Premier League. His play is going to be crucial as Liverpool’s attack has been superb in recent weeks.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Liverpool was looking ahead a bit to this game during the week and rested superstar Mo Salah for much of their match against Porto. Salah will be in great form here and lead Liverpool to a crucial win against Manchester United, putting the Reds in second place.
English Premier League Odds: Liverpool 2, Manchester United 1
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
