Manchester United vs. Liverpool prediction: EPL odds, picks

One of the great rivalries in all of sports will pen a new chapter when Manchester United hosts Liverpool on Sunday morning.

Both clubs will say they’re coming into the new season with their sights set on the top of the table, but the general perception was that Liverpool could be a genuine title contender if things go smoothly in Arne Slot’s first year as manager, while Manchester United will struggle to crack the top-4. 

The betting market bears that out as Liverpool is an odds-on favorite on the road on Sunday morning.

Liverpool vs. Manchester United prediction

(8:30 a.m. ET, Sunday)

Slot’s first two matches at Liverpool could not have gone better. The Reds outlasted Ipswich Town on the road, 2-0, in their opener and then repeated that scoreline at home against Brentford.

Liverpool never looked to be under too much duress in either fixture and their +6.3 expected goal difference tells a story of two dominant displays.

The most notable number from Liverpool’s first 180 minutes under Slot is that they’ve allowed just 0.8 expected goals. 

Manchester United’s start to the season has expectedly been a bit of a mixed bag. The Red Devils took care of business against Fulham, 1-0, in their first match, but conceded a late winner to Brighton last weekend in a 2-1 defeat.

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They could feel a bit unlucky losing in that manner, but the truth is that Brighton were the better side over the course of the match. 

On merit, you’d be right in suggesting that Liverpool should be favorites in this contest. The Reds came into the season with higher expectations than the Red Devils and they have looked the part through two matches.

What does muddy the waters a bit here is that Liverpool have had a very soft opening to their campaign. Ipswich Town was an odds-on favorite to get relegated, while Brentford is coming off a 16th-place finish in 2023-24 and were missing star striker Ivan Toney. 

Liverpool have passed those tests, but they now take a huge step up in class against a flawed, but dangerous Manchester United side that has given them issues.

Erik ten Hag’s tenure at Old Trafford has been tumultuous, but his team is at its best when it can sit back and counter against sides that want to be on the front-foot, like Liverpool.

These two sides played three teams last season and it was United that got the better of Liverpool with a win and two draws. 

Liverpool is the better side, but this price flatters them — especially on the road.

The Bet: Manchester United (+280, Fanatics)