11/10 United to prove their Worth
It’s been a while now since either side took this competition seriously - why they have done so this season is anybody’s guess - but the end result is a fascinating clash between two sides who have rebounded in style in Europe of late after domestic setbacks.
Over the years these two powerhouses have served up some memorable encounters, and in the league little separates them. United have won 49, Liverpool 48 while there have been 42 draws of the 139 matches played since 1893.
In the cup however, it’s been a somewhat different story. United clearly have the upper hand, holding as they do a 9-4 aggregate cup record against their Merseyside rivals and Community/Charity Shields aside, the last time the two sides met in a competitive Cup tie United beat Liverpool 1-0 in an FA Cup final.
And there will be plenty wanting to back United to repeat that feat following their excellent away success against Juventus in the Champions League this week.
There were shades of the United of ‘99 in their win and with Giggs back in form, there appears no reason why they can’t embellish their Cup record against their hated rivals.
But Liverpool’s 2-0 win over a handy Auxerre side in the UEFA Cup on Thursday was no mean feat and, with Michael Owen looking something approaching his best and Liverpool in general looking a far more polished outfit from the team who laboured to defeats against the likes of Birmingham City and Crystal Palace, United will have their work cut out to take the silverware.
But there was no denying the quality of United’s Juventus win and, with two more days rest than Liverpool, they look the percentage bet to do the business.
On the betting front United are a best priced 11/10 with Paddy Power while Liverpool are 5/2 with Cashmans, Ladbrokes and Boylesports. The draw is a top priced 12/5 with Boylesports and Cashmans.
Needless to say, there are a plethora of specials on the game. They include:
Paddy Power
11/4 Man U minus a goal, 4/6 Liverpool plus a goal
5/2 zero or one goal to be scored in the game; 10/11 2 or 3 goals, 9/4 four or more
2/1 the first have to be the one with most goals, 11/10 the second half and 9/4 a tie
draw no bet - 1/2 Man U, 6/4 Liverpool.
Cashmans
22/1 Van Nistelrooy to score a hat-trick in 90 minutes
28/1 Owen to score hat-trick in 90 minutes
11/2 Van Nistelrooy to score direct from a penalty (90 mins)
7/1 any Liverpool player to score direct from a penalty (90 mins)
13/2 Beckham to score direct from a free kick (90 mins - excluding penalty)
13/2 Danny Murphy to score direct from a free kick (90 mins - excluding penalty)
40/1 Dudek to save a penalty (90 mins)
33/1 Barthez to save a penalty (90 mins)
4/1 both Owen and Van Nistelrooy to score (90 mins)
9/1 Man U to win in extra time
11/1 Liverpool to win in extra time
12/1 Man U to win on penalties
12/1 Liverpool to win on penalties.
Boylesports
3/1 a penalty to be scored in the game
7/2 Man U to score in both halves
4/1 both Owen and Van Nistelrooy to score
5/1 Liverpool to score in both halves
25/1 Van Nistelrooy hat-trick
33/1 Owen hat-trick
Ladbrokes
3/1 Dudek to keep a clean sheet
13/8 Man U to win all three encounters with Liverpool
9/1 Giggs to score winner or final goal
9/4 Man U to win nothing
10/1 Solskjaer to score last goal of normal time in last 10 minutes
10/1 either side to win on penalties
Liverpool meanwhile are as short as 4/7 to win the ‘Battle of Britain’ clash with Celtic next month. The two sides meet in the two-legged quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup. Liverpool are a best-priced 4/6 with Stan James, while Celtic are 5/4 with Bet365.
Recommendation
4pts Man. United 11/10
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