Premier League: Man United v Liverpool betting preview, TV, team news and tip

TV: Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 2.05pm Sunday

While Manchester City head to Wembley in pursuit of the first of a possible four trophies this season, Premier League title rivals Liverpool are aiming to return to the top of the table with a victory at Manchester United.

The Reds are 14 points better off than bitter rivals United, who they walloped 3-1 in December's reverse fixture at Anfield, and bookmakers expect Jurgen Klopp's men to underline their superiority at Old Trafford.

However, much has changed for both clubs since their last meeting, which prompted the sacking of Jose Mourinho, and at the prices a resurgent United side make more appeal than the title-chasing visitors.

The appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as interim manager is looking like an inspired gamble after 11 wins in 13 games, with 30 goals scored.

The Norwegian's reign began with a soft run of fixtures – his first five games were away trips to Cardiff and Newcastle and home games against Huddersfield, Bournemouth and Reading in the FA Cup – but his side have come through tougher tests since then.

They were fortunate to win 1-0 at Tottenham but impressive in cup victories away to Arsenal and Chelsea. The 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge was an excellent response to the first real setback Solskjaer has faced, a home defeat to Paris St-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie when his gameplan was disrupted by first-half injuries to Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial.

Revitalised midfielders Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba scored the goals against Chelsea and Lingard and Martial should be back in the squad as United aim to disrupt Liverpool's challenge for the league.

The Reds have earned the respect of the layers with their performances this season and their only defeat in 26 league games came in a contest of fine margins away to Manchester City.

They kept a clean sheet in the last-16 first leg against Bayern Munich despite the absence through suspension of Virgil van Dijk but their record away from home this season has been patchy.

They followed the defeat at the Etihad on January 3 with an FA Cup defeat at Wolves, a nervy 1-0 win at Brighton and a 1-1 draw at West Ham.

Liverpool were also held to 1-1 draws away to Arsenal and Chelsea in the league while they scraped through their Champions League group despite losing all three away matches, to PSG, Napoli and 16-1 shots Red Star Belgrade.

With City in imperious form, Liverpool cannot be content with a draw at Old Trafford and the visitors' desperation for three points could play into the hands of United.

The cup win at Arsenal was a counter-attacking masterclass from Solskjaer's side and Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku, Pogba, Lingard and Martial could be devastating on the break if Liverpool are forced to throw men forward.

With Van Dijk back for Liverpool and two world-class goalkeepers in David De Gea and Alisson it may not be a goalfest and just two of Liverpool's 13 away games in the league have rewarded backers of over 3.5 goals.

But, with the stakes higher for the visitors, a carefree, confident United side look value to put a dent in Liverpool's title hopes.

Recommendation
Manchester United draw no bet
2pts 6-5 general

Team news
Manchester United
Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial could return to the squad after recovering from injuries sustained against PSG. David De Gea will replace Sergio Romero, who kept goal in the FA Cup win at Chelsea.

Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk, suspended for the Champions League draw with Bayern Munich, should start but fellow defender Dejan Lovren remains sidelined.

Key stat
Both teams have scored in six of Liverpool's seven games against fellow top-six sides in the Premier League this season.

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