Andy's Sunday tips - Liverpool to earn win
Every weekend seems to throw up a match that we refer to as decisive but Manchester United's trip to Liverpool is exactly that. Elsewhere, Tottenham travel to Wolves ahead of their midweek clash with AC Milan...
Liverpool v Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson had plenty to say about the refereeing in their midweek defeat to Chelsea. I have to say that on another day certain decisions could have gone Manchester United's way and they might have come away with a draw at the very least. But that's not how it panned out and now they have to think about how they're going to return to form.
To compound Fergie's misery, he will have to do without Nemanja Vidic for this match and that could end up being the most decisive factor in this game. The injuries that have plagued Rio Ferdinand's season have been bad enough but a central defensive pairing of Chris Smalling and Wes Brown will be a huge fillip for Liverpool.
Defeat at West Ham is a good indication that Kenny Dalglish's side look far better these days but aren't quite there just yet. They have their own injury problems with Martin Kelly and Daniel Agger out for a while, Raul Meireles a doubt for this match and Andy Carroll probably not quite ready to play yet.
If they could get the former Newcastle man fit, I think he'd cause Manchester United's somewhat lightweight defensive pairing real trouble but that's a big if and the more likely scenario is that Luis Suarez will lead the line.
I said in last week's column that United's matches against Wigan, Chelsea and Liverpool would decide their league season and if they lose this one they'll really be feeling the pressure.
Earlier on in the season, there were some who thought they could do the unthinkable and remain unbeaten for the whole campaign so it's a dramatic turn of events to think they could lose two on the trot but I have a feeling they will.
Wayne Rooney has been playing well in recent weeks but he does look a little jaded after so many matches in quick succession. Dimitar Berbatov's goals have dried up and Javier Hernandez had an indifferent match against Chelsea which will be a worry for the boss. With the problems at the back, I think they're there for the taking.
Recommended Bets:
Back Liverpool to win at [3.0]
Back Liverpool to win 1-0 at [10.0]
Back Liverpool to keep a clean sheet at [3.5]
Wolves v Tottenham
At this level, anything other than full focus can cost you and Spurs will be thinking about that second leg at home to AC Milan in midweek, although whether that means Harry Redknapp will ring the changes remains to be seen.
Defeat at Blackpool was proof that the north Londoners are vulnerable away from home and Wolves will feel that with a physical approach and home support they can get three points that will go a long way to helping their fight to avoid the drop.
I've been very impressed with Spurs this season and their squad is as good as it has been for a long, long time, but the price on a Wolves win is simply too big to miss out on.
Recommended Bets:
Back Wolves to win at [3.15]
Back Wolves to win 2-1 at [14.0]
Back over 2.5 goals at [2.16]
Andy Gray is now on Twitter so follow him for his exclusive tips and his take on the biggest stories in football each week.
Published: 5 Mar 2011
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