Expert Jury: Liverpool expected to show their class at Old Trafford

We asked our top team of writers and a leading odds-compiler for their thoughts on this week's big talking points and this is how they answered...

What is your best football bet this weekend?

Racing Post's Aaron Ashley: Leyton Orient to beat Stevenage. Orient have shared the spoils in three consecutive games but were the better team in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with League Two leaders Forest Green and this represents their easiest task for some time.

Stevenage have suffered back-to-back 3-0 defeats at Oldham and Northampton and the signs were worrying at Sixfields, where they crumbled like a team lacking belief following a run of just one win in 11 league games.

Racing Post's Joe Casey: I think Liverpool will demonstrate the gulf in class between them and Manchester United this weekend.

Man United got away with another terrible defensive performance against Atalanta and if they play like that against an attacking force such as Liverpool’s, it could get ugly. Mo Salah has captured the headlines but Roberto Firmino is key to their link-up and his return has been vital.

Racing Post's Ian Wilkerson: Plymouth have lost just one game all season and I will be surprised if League One leaders don't get three points at Morecambe.

The Shrimps have lost their last three and have conceded a total of ten goals in those defeats, so expect the Pilgrims to take advantage against the third tier's leakiest defence.

Chris Pender, Ladbrokes: Neil Warnock's Middlesbrough travel to Cardiff to take on one of his former sides. Mick McCarthy's Bluebirds are winless in seven games, and that looks set to become eight in a game that is unlikely to be one for the purists.

Who are the most vulnerable favourites?

Racing Post's Aaron Ashley: Bolton have lost their last three games in League One, conceding eight times and failing to score, and make little appeal at odds-on hosting Gillingham.

The Gills stopped a rot of four consecutive losses with a 1-0 win at home to Doncaster in midweek and they have avoided defeat in three of their last four away league assignments, which includes respectable draws at Oxford and Burton.

Racing Post's Joe Casey: Blackpool have started quickly back in the Championship but they take on a Preston side who have lost just one of their last 12 games in all competitions.

North End have faced West Brom, Sheffield United and Stoke in that run and came from behind to beat highflyers Coventry in midweek. Blackpool look a shade short to my mind.

Racing Post's Ian Wilkerson: Lee Bowyer's Birmingham have gone six games without scoring a goal and having notched just three times in six home games this term, they are difficult to fancy against Swansea.

The Welsh outfit should be full of beans after following a comprehensive 3-0 win over arch-rivals Cardiff with a midweek victory at highly-fancied West Brom.

Chris, Ladbrokes: Inter. Max Allegri has got Juventus playing again, they have shaken off their Ronaldo hangover, gone back to type with resilient defending and should have enough to take a least a point back to Turin.

Why are Manchester United struggling so much defensively?

Racing Post's Aaron Ashley: England internationals Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw don’t yet look up to full speed after recent injury troubles and they are not very well protected by the holding midfield two of Scott McTominay and Fred.

McTominay can go missing in games and regularly finds himself caught out of position while Fred's decision-making is a weakness that is regularly exposed.

Racing Post's Joe Casey: Much has been said about Man United’s holding midfielders but I don’t think they are helped by Bruno Fernandes.

He is undoubtedly a great player going forward but can only play in the number ten role, limiting Solskjaer’s tactical flexibility, and too often neglects his defensive duties, leaving those behind him exposed.

Racing Post's Ian Wilkerson: The transfer window generated plenty of optimism at Old Trafford but their lack of a top defensive midfielder was not addressed.

They put a lot on Fred's shoulders when they select him and it is not unjust to suggest that some of the stars at the top of the pitch need to put in more of a shift in so that the back four are not exposed, particularly as Harry Maguire appears to be struggling with his fitness.

Chris Pender, Ladbrokes: There is an imbalance within Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side. A lack of pace through the centre of the pitch allows pressing side's to cut through them too easily. Teams have also realised that Maguire and Lindelof are not the best of passers and make mistakes when pressed high. Solskjaer doesn't appear to know what his best side is as he tries to get Pogba, Fernandes, Greenwood and Ronaldo into the same team.

Where the value in El Clasico this Sunday?

Racing Post's Aaron Ashley: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals, a bet which landed in last season’s two La Liga meetings.

Barca have had a disjointed start to the season but their injury situation is improving and they should be more competitive than they would have been a month ago. But they are flawed defensively, as are visitors Real who have netted 22 goals but conceded ten times in eight league outings.

Racing Post's Joe Casey: Real Madrid have won the last three El Clasicos and it’s hard to see past them again given Barcelona’s problems. Ronald Koeman has been given a poisoned chalice but should be getting more out of the team than he is.

The attendance at Barca’s vital Champions League game against Dynamo Kiev showed the apathy that surrounds the club at the moment. Real are rightful favourites.

Racing Post's Ian Wilkerson: It is unusual to see Real Madrid chalked up as favourites for a trip to Camp Nou but I'm leaning towards them justifying that.

Barcelona have kept just two clean sheets at home all season and Real's 5-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk was just the lift they needed after surprise defeats to Sheriff and Espanyol.

Chris Pender, Ladbrokes: Karim Benzema seems to be maturing like a fine wine, and just gets better and better, having scored in his last five games for club and country, and that should be six come Sunday evening.

Give us a winner on the midweek coupon

Racing Post's Aaron Ashley: At the prices, I’d back Brentford to get the better of Stoke in the EFL Cup. The Bees made the semi-finals last season despite coping with the constraints of a 46-game Championship campaign and recorded wins over then Premier League quartet Southampton, West Brom, Fulham and Newcastle.

They are now a settled top-flight side and Thomas Frank should see this as an excellent opportunity to reach the quarter-finals of a domestic cup.

Racing Post's Joe Casey: Goals have been a real issue for St Johnstone, who have scored just six in nine league games. Hearts on the other hand have rejoined the Scottish top flight like a duck to water, scoring 15 and sitting unbeaten after nine matches.

The Jam Tarts won’t be able to sustain that level for the rest of the season but they should be able to get the better of St Johnstone on Wednesday, who may still be reeling from their weekend trip to Celtic.

Racing Post's Ian Wilkerson: Tottenham manager Nuno has been utilising his squad well in the last few weeks and even a second-string Spurs line-up should have too much for Burnley.

The Clarets have won just one of their last seven home matches against Spurs and a run in the EFL Cup looks unlikely to be much of a priority at Turf Moor after their poor start to the campaign.

Chris Pender, Ladbrokes: Brentford to beat Stoke.

Not got a Paddy Power account? Sign up and get up to £50 in free sports bets

Place a single £10 Sportsbook bet and get money back as a free bet if it loses. There are x5 Free Bets available. Max refund per qualifying bet is £10. Only deposits made via Credit/Debit Card will be eligible for the promotion. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply 18+ begambleaware.org

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport