All the stats you need to pick a smart Bet Builder for tonight’s relegation battle. Goals, shots, corners and cards… it’s all here. Give it a scroll before placing any bets.
Predicted Lineups
I’m expecting both teams to line up as usual – a 4-2-3-1 for Ten Hag’s side and a 4-3-3 for Klopp’s.
For the home side, there will be a change up front with Ronaldo starting given Martial is not fully fit. Malacia will likely take Shaw’s place at left-back after a decent performance off the bench last time out.
It’ll also be interesting to see if Ten Hag can show his ruthless side, finally dropping McTominay and Maguire after their horrific start to the season.
The obvious change for Liverpool also comes up top. With Nunez suspended and Jota injured, Firmino may return to the lineup if he is fit.
I also expect Henderson to slot back into a shaky midfield as it’s not been looking as solid without him in the past two score draws.
Team Stats
Manchester United and Liverpool come into this game in a lowly 19th and 15th respectively – not great for two of the biggest clubs in the country.
According to both their league position and xG, they’re underperforming massively.
Man United have converted just 0.5 goals per game, despite an xGF of 1.99. They’ve been letting in more than expected too, with 3 goals conceded per game with an xGA of just 1.71 – David de Gea hasn’t helped that one.
They’ve also been racking up the shots, although only 32% of those are making it on target.
Something the Red Devils have been enjoying is poor discipline. Four cards a game is up there with the best.
Liverpool dominate the stats; less cards, more shots, more on target, and most importantly more goals. The only thing United can keep tabs with is the corner count.
They’ve still been poor with conversion – 4.5 shots on target from 18.5 attempts isn’t good reading for the finishing coach.
They have recorded a very high xG though, so I’d expect chances created tonight.
Given both Salah and Diaz cut in from their wings, just 4 corners a game isn’t too surprising.
Player Shots and Shots on Target
Christian Eriksen started United’s opener as a makeshift number 9, given Martial was injured and Ronaldo was not match-ready.
The Dane currently sits top of their shot-taking list with 2.5 a game. He’ll be dropping deeper tonight, so I wouldn’t expect those sorts of numbers.
Instead, Ronaldo should start up top with Rashford and Sancho either side of him, and Bruno in behind.
Darwin Nunez took one too many shots at Joachim Anderson in last week’s match against Crystal Palace. He won’t feature tonight as he’s suspended, with Firmino likely to deputise.
Nunez was the top shot-taker for the away side over the last to games.
The reliance will be on their two wingers, and that’s no drop off in finishing. Salah and Diaz will be a big attacking threat tonight, with Firmino acting in his usual creative false 9 role.
Player Goals
There’s not much to be said about Man United’s goalscoring this season. Their only goal has come from a Mac Allister own goal against Brighton.
I’ve just gone for an order of goal threat instead… what else could I do?
Liverpool have managed 3 goals from 2 this season, as well as conceding the same number in two score draws.
Their front 3 of Diaz, Salah and Nunez have all had one each. Nunez won’t be there tonight, but I’d fancy the other two to find the back of the net.
Manchester United Cards
The Red Devils have certainly lived up to their name in terms of discipline. 8 cards in 2 games says it all, with frustrations racking up. I’d expect another frustrating night at Old Trafford too.
Hopefully their two top candidates for a booking are dropped in McTominay and Maguire, but they’ve got a job on their hands keeping Bruno from the referee’s book if they’re losing.
Both Diaz and Elliott have been attempting over 3 dribbles a game, so they’ll be looking to draw fouls from their counterparts.
These are the match-ups I’d look out for:
Malacia vs Salah
Martinez vs Firmino
Dalot vs Diaz
Liverpool Cards
Liverpool have kept their cool much better than United, with just the 2 cards a game. That doesn’t mean they haven’t lost it, with Nunez headbutting Anderson in a 1-1 draw vs Palace last time out.
Rashford has been keen to dribble, attempting 2 a game – that should be an interesting battle against a very attacking minded TAA.
These are the match-ups I’d keep an eye on:
Fabinho vs Fernandes
Van Dijk vs Ronaldo
Alexander-Arnold vs Rashford
And that’s all the stats for this game, and it should be a cracker. Hopefully this proved useful for your bet builders, and just a reminder that Paddy Power are offering a free £5 bet on this game.
If you’re placing a bet remember to be sensible with it. Low stakes, stick to budget, and don’t back it for the sake of it.
