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Manchester United vs Liverpool Preview

Gregory Sica, February 10 2012,
Manchester United and Liverpool will lock horns in what is expected to be a fiercely-contested Premier League clash at Old Trafford on Saturday.

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Team News

Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson will be unable to count with the services of a host of players, including Anders Lindegaard and Phil Jones, both with ankle injuries, and Michael Owen, with a thigh problem. Other players who have been discarded for the clash are Tom Cleverley and Portuguese midfielder Nani.

Ferguson will likely provide Javier Hernandez with a starting role, after the Mexican international made a real impact when he entered the field against Chelsea last week, and ended up scoring United's late equaliser. Veteran midfielder Paul Scholes also played a key role in United's revival at Stamford Bridge and could start the game from the kick-off.

 

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish will be overjoyed by the fact that he will be able to field a full-strength squad against the Red Devils. The biggest news from the Liverpool camp is that Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez will return to the starting eleven, after completing an eight-game ban for having been accused of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

Form

United come into the game with high confidence, after having come from three goals down to force a 3-3 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The Red Devils have won 22 of their last 25 games at Old Trafford and have been increasingly strong when playing on their own turf in recent weeks. Despite having been edged out by Liverpool in the FA Cup in late January, Ferguson's side have beaten the likes of Arsenal, Stoke City and Bolton in 2012.

Liverpool, on the other hand, have been rather inconsistent in the Premier League this year, as while they thrashed Wolves 3-0, they also fell to a 3-1 defeat to Bolton and last week fought out a frustrating goalless draw with Tottenham. However, their strength has been clearly visible in the knockout competitions, where they ousted Manchester City in the Carling Cup, before doing the same to Manchester United in the FA Cup.

Head-to-head

Liverpool have had the upperhand over their rivals in recent encounters, as before knocking United out of the FA Cup with a last-gasp winner from Dirk Kuyt at Anfield on January 28, they fought out a 1-1 draw with their rivals at the same venue in October. It was in that game that the Suarez-Evra racial row erupted.

The previous meeting between the sides in March of 2011 ended in a 3-1 victory for Liverpool, thanks to a superb hat-trick from Kuyt. Furthermore, Liverpool have won four of their last seven Premier League encounters with United. 

However, what boosts Manchester United's chances of obtaining the three points is the fact that they have won 5 of their last 6 games against Liverpool at Old Trafford. 

Prediction

Expect a fiercely-contested showdown between two sides that will fight for the three points at all costs. What adds an extra dimension to the clash is the potential confrontation between Suarez and Evra, following the return to action of the Liverpool ace.

While United come into the clash as the slight favourites, mainly due to their home advantage, the visitors will surely give them a run for their money, with Suarez likely to be at the centre of the action. 

The Verdict:

Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool

Manchester United vs Liverpool

Date: Saturday, 11 Feb 2012
Time: 07:45 ( US/Eastern )
Competition: England Premier League
Live/Repeat: Live
Venue: Old Trafford (Manchester)

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