Liverpool extended their winning streak in the Premier League to four matches with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Swansea City on Saturday. Roberto Firmino and James Milner scored the winning goals for the Reds who moved to within two points of leaders Manchester City in the title race. Liverpool will look to sustain the momentum of that huge victory when they lock horns with arch-rivals Manchester United in a marquee clash at Anfield this coming Monday.
For the Reds to stretch their unbeaten run even further, they will need to continue their excellent play on the offensive end. The Reds are the division’s second-top scorers behind Manchester City, with 18 goals in seven matches. 13 of those goals have come over their last four league games. Much of the credit for this offensive turnaround should be given to manager Jurgen Klopp. Since the German took over the reins last October, the Reds have scored a whopping 73 goals, more than any other side over this period.
Expected to lead the Reds’ attack against United is Firmino. The Brazilian striker leads the Reds in scoring with four goals to his name this season. Firmino scored the equalizer and won the penalty that decided the game against Swansea. Also expected to contribute this weekend is the red-hot Milner. Since the start of last season, the England international has been involved in 21 Premier League goals (9 scored, 12 assisted). That’s more than any other Liverpool player during this span. Milner hasn’t skipped a beat since moving to the left-back position for Liverpool at the start of this season.
The Reds are 4-1-0 in their last five home games. They are pegged at +450to win the Premier League title this season.
What in the world is happening to Manchester United? The Red Devils dropped points yet again with a frustrating 1-1 draw against Stoke City on October 2. It was another disappointing result for manager Jose Mourinho whose United side are three points behind the total collected by predecessor Louis van Gaal at the same stage last season. The Red Devils (13 points) have grabbed just four points in their last four league assignments as they slid down to sixth place in the team standings.
The Red Devils will look to get their season back on track when they take on Liverpool this coming Monday. They will fancy their chances of doing just that as they have fared extremely well against the Reds of late. United have won in each of their last four Premier League meetings against Liverpool. The Red Devils outscored the Reds, 9-2, during that span.
For United to grab the much-needed victory this coming Monday, it’s crucial that they improve on their finishing in the final third. The Red Devils peppered the Stoke goal with 24 shots last Saturday but could only manage just one goal. The onus then is on Zlatan Ibrahimovic to inject some life to United’s attack. The Swedish striker leads the Red Devils in scoring with six goals to his name this season. Ibrahimovic wasted several scoring opportunities in that 1-1 stalemate against Stoke.
The Red Devils are 2-1-2 in their last five matches. They are pegged at +1,600to lift the Premier League trophy this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Liverpool (+104) edge past United in a thriller, 3-2.
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