BetOnline.com Soccer Betting - Lack of quality depth piles more pressure on Liverpool
Online betting players will be treated to another edition of England’s biggest rivalry, as Liverpool host Manchester United. Liverpool swept United last year, and this year’s meeting could be missing some big names through injury. However, Liverpool will be indicted for their lack of quality depth at key positions, which will lead to a United victory.
Man Utd vs Liverpool odds: Man Utd +170; Liverpool +211; Draw +233
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Man Utd vs Liverpool odds maker breakdown: The Storyline
United are again atop of the table after Chelsea lost to Aston Villa, but they face a number of injury worries to important players. Liverpool is also monitoring the health of a couple crucial players, and they’re looking to not lose any more ground as they dropped their last two in the Premiership, and four matches overall. Liverpool cannot afford to drop any more points if they want a shot at the title. And if you want a storyline, you’d be hard pressed to find a bigger rivalry in England, possibly in Europe, than Manchester United-Liverpool. Betting Edge: Liverpool
Man Utd vs Liverpool odds maker breakdown: Offense
United is third in goals scored in the Premiership, led by the irrepressible Wayne Rooney, while Dimitar Berbatov and Antonio Valencia are starting to come on. However, Rooney and Ryan Giggs, who leads the team with five assists, are battling injury, which could put a dent in United’s sportsbook odds. Liverpool is second in goals scored, powered by the duo of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard. However, Gerrard had to leave Liverpool’s Champions League match on Tuesday because he re-aggravated a groin problem, and Torres has been out for two weeks because of an abdominal strain. This means more pressure for players like Dirk Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun, who is attracting suitors in the transfer market. Betting Edge: Draw
Man Utd vs Liverpool odds maker breakdown: Defense
The Red Devils are third in goals allowed, and they now have Edwin van der Sar between the sticks. Ben Foster didn’t do much to inspire confidence in his defense, and maybe van der Sar’s return will spark a return to form from Rio Ferdinand, who has played well below his world-class standards. Liverpool’s back line has been shaky all season long, and like Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher has been far from his best. Next to Gerrard, nobody embodies the Liverpool spirit like Carragher, but he’s been indecisive, and that has spread to keeper Pepe Reina, who was beaten at Sunderland when he was distracted by a beach ball in front of his goal. Liverpool has four clean sheets, but all against the likes of Burnley and Stoke. Not every encouraging, indeed. Betting Edge: Manchester United
Man Utd vs Liverpool odds maker breakdown: Notable Injuries
The list is long for United: Patrice Evra (ankle), Giggs (hip), Darren Fletcher (knee), Park Ji-Sung (knee), Nemanja Vidic (ankle), Rooney (calf) and Owen Hargreaves (knee) are all questionable or doubtful for this match. For Liverpool, Torres (abdominal), Gerrard (groin) and Alberto Aquilani (ankle) are all rushing to get fit to meet Liverpool’s biggest rivals. Betting Edge: Liverpool
Man Utd vs Liverpool odds maker breakdown: Totals
Their last three meetings have gone over the posted total, but I’ll take the under here, with so many injuries to attacking players on both sides like Rooney, Giggs, Gerrard and Torres. Even if they’re playing, they probably won’t be at 100%. Pick: UNDER 2.5
Man Utd vs Liverpool betting breakdown: Outlook and Pick
Liverpool is struggling as bad as we’ve ever seen under Rafa Benitez, who has been backed publically by the players and owners. A loss will probably knock them out of the championship race, leaving only a Champions League spot to fight for, and with no Gerrard or Torres, goals could be scarce as their lack of quality depth is criminal for such a “big” team. Sir Alex Ferguson will have his charges ready for this visit to Anfield, and even though they have injuries, they have quality backups who can step up to do the job. TODD’S PICK: Man Utd +170
For more sports betting picks and tips on the pitch for club and international soccer, bookmark BetOnline.com’s The Betting Edge. Todd Shale contributes soccer analysis to BetOnline.com.
