Manchester United v Liverpool: Back a high-scoring home win as Moyes' men look to bounce back

Manchester United v Liverpool
Wednesday 25th September, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports 2

Manchester United welcome one rival to Old Trafford on Wednesday night still licking their wounds from a monumental hiding from another. Just a few days after a crushing 4-1 defeat at the hands of a rejuvenated Manchester City, the Red Devils now need to refocus and tackle the job in hand against a confident Liverpool side who, despite a surprising off-day against Southampton at Anfield at the weekend, are well-drilled, stylish and, crucially, already know how to beat them.

David Moyes and his charges have failed the two biggest tests they've been presented with so far this season, and the Capital One Cup gives them not only the chance to get their shaky start back on the straight and narrow, but to give fringe players pushing for a place the opportunity to impress and perhaps force their way into the side on a full time basis. Moyes would have been hugely disappointed with some of the performances he was presented with against City and now has the perfect excuse to shuffle the pack and record a morale-boosting win in a game that always has significance among United's sizable fan base.

As for Liverpool, they'll be keen to shake off the malaise after a defeat to Southampton has ruined their near-perfect start to the league season. They're also likely to welcome their controversial talisman Luis Suarez back into the fray after a ten game ban.

Match Odds

At first glance, Manchester United look very big at 2.3611/8 to win this game at home. Yes, they've been defeated already by Liverpool this season have just been handed a battering against City, but both of those games were away from Old Trafford and there will certainly be a wounded tiger aspect to United's attitude going into this clash. Liverpool haven't won at Old Trafford since March 2009, either.

I also think that, if it comes down to depth of the respective squads, United have the advantage. The fringe players at Old Trafford that are keen to impress and expected to feature are the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Javier Hernandez, Shinji Kagawa, Nani and Tom Cleverley. 

Liverpool, as good as their start has been, can't call on players of that quality, with the exception of Suarez. And we don't know quite how sharp the Uruguayan is, given that he hasn't featured for Liverpool since April. This game will be played at Premier League pace, and for all his international appearances over the past five months, he may well need time to knock some rust off.

This is a good opportunity to back United at a very fair price.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals

Four of the last five meetings between these teams have gone over 2.5 goals (the exception being the recent meeting at Anfield) and, if we go back a wee bit further, ten of the last 14 have also ended up in overs. Add this into the plethora of goals we've seen in the Capital One Cup this season, especially in the second round, and we have a great chance of seeing the net bulge a few times on Wednesday. I think the price of 1.8810/11 for overs is more than fair and that's what I'll be backing.

To my mind, the reason there are often goals in the League Cup is because the packs are usually shuffled which means players are going out to impress, and defences aren't as comfortable with each other due to personnel changes. I can't see this game breaking that trend.

Sending Off?

Games between United and Liverpool are well-known for being spicy affairs, and the game at Anfield earlier in the season produced six bookings. With the home side feeling like they have a big point to prove, a few inexperienced players in the mix and the expected return of the fiery Luis Suarez, it may well be worth backing a sending off in the game at around 3.39/4. 

Recommended Bets

Back Manchester United to win at 2.3611/8
Back Over 2.5 Goals at 1.8810/11