Manchester United come into this typically feisty affair as the league’s form side, having become the only team other than Newcastle to win five games on the bounce. They are now looking to become the first team to win six in a row to help close the gap on their Manchester rivals, City, and Chelsea atop the league.
Manchester United have a massive thank you to make to their keeper David De Gea who has helped ensure their winning streak continues. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that the Spain international has made 2.29 saves for every goal conceded. He will look to further improve that ratio this weekend by keeping his fifth clean sheet of the season.
Robin Van Persie received the plaudits on Monday night, having bagged two goals against Southampton, taking his tally to six for the season. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that he only needed three shots on Monday night to score his brace, but it was his all round play that impressed. Monday saw Van Persie win all four of his tackles and complete 87.9% of his 33 passes. He is 27/25 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
His strike partner Wayne Rooney will need no second reminder to get himself ready for this derby, especially as a boyhood Evertonian. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, the Manchester Untied skipper has created three goals for teammates whilst adding five of his own. Rooney will hope for a repeat of his finishing master class at Arsenal and is 27/20 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
Liverpool will come into this fixture with optimism having remained unbeaten in three, having picked up seven points from a possible nine. Liverpool have only conceded once in their last three fixtures, and keeping their defence tight will be the key to coming away with the points for them.
This fixture will mean more to Steven Gerrard than most, and the Liverpool skipper epitomises the rivalry of the match. The former England captain has scored three penalties in his last four visits to Old Trafford and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index tells us that he has scored three times this season so is in goal scoring form. Gerrard has completed 321 passes in the opposition already this campaign and willing be looking to add to both his tally of goals and assists. He is 51/10 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
His midfield partner Jordan Henderson has made a fine start to the season, as revealed by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The England international has covered a squad best 148.53km already this season, and will look to retain that work rate on the weekend to win the midfield battle. He has also won 75.47% of his 53 tackles this season, also making 16 interceptions showing that his hard work is paying off.
Another threat to the Manchester United back line will come in the form of Henderson’s England international Raheem Sterling. The 20 year old has scored three times already and laid on five goals for teammates, as revealed by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. His natural talent in combination with his frightening pace makes him such a threat, and he has hit a top speed of 35.04km/h so far this season.
Manchester United v Liverpool Possible Lineups:
Manchester United: De Gea; Jones, Evans, Rojo, Rafael; Carrick, Fellaini, Young, Mata; Rooney, Van Persie
Liverpool: Mignolet, Johnson, Enrique, Lovren, Skrtel, Lucas, Henderson, Lallana, Gerrard, Sterling, Balotelli
Manchester United v Liverpool Match Facts:
- Only Everton v Liverpool (20) has seen more red cards than Liverpool v Manchester United of all fixtures in Premier League history (15).
- Steven Gerrard has scored more goals as an away player at Old Trafford than any other player in Premier League history (5).
- Robin van Persie has netted six goals in his last nine Premier League appearances against Liverpool.
- Only Chelsea (6) have won at Old Trafford more often than Liverpool (5) in Premier League history.
- Liverpool’s haul of 21 points is their fourth lowest in Premier League history at this stage of the season.
- They had 19 points in 1992-93, 2010-11 and 2012-13.
- Manchester United have scored the most goals from outside the box in the Premier League this season (7).
- Angel Di Maria has 20 goal assists in 2014; more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues.
Facts compiled from eurosport.com
Manchester United v Liverpool Prediction:
A 2-1 win for the home side.
Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars with at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ or with FIFA Ultimate team.