Manchester United vs Liverpool predictions, odds and betting tips

Possibly the least friendly pre-season friendly in football goes down this weekend, and the latest Manchester United vs Liverpool betting odds are in. 

Despite there being nothing but pride on the line, the rivalry between the two clubs means the August 4 showdown will be fiercely contested. Which team will get a crucial confidence boost ahead of the new Premier League season? 

Let’s see if we can unearth some winning tips when Manchester United and Liverpool meet Stateside this weekend.

Manchester United vs Liverpool odds

Find the latest match odds for Manchester United vs Liverpool. All odds are provided by our best-reviewed football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.

⚡Quick Manchester United vs Liverpool betting tips

Manchester United vs Liverpool predictions

For clarity, Manchester United vs Liverpool takes place on neutral ground at the Williams-Brice Stadium in South Carolina. It will be August 3 in the US when the first whistle blows, which means you can watch at 12:30 am on August 4 in the UK.

Liverpool start as the betting favourites thanks to a 2-1 win over Arsenal last time out. Ironically, that’s the same score United lost to Arsenal in their pre-season friendly on July 28. That’s one of the reasons why Liverpool are currently tipped as favourites at 31/20 with 10Bet and 6/4 with BetMGM.  

There are, of course, more variables to consider. Indeed, the latest Manchester United vs Liverpool betting odds are extremely close, so let’s look at some factors that might tip the balance:

Injuries

Perhaps the most important factors to consider ahead of the fiercest friendly on the pre-season calendar are the injuries to Marcus Rashford and Antony. Both players were instrumental in Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Real Betis on Thursday.

Rashford scored his first goal of pre-season from the penalty spot but limped off soon after with an ankle injury. He’d been an imposing figure prior to a crunching challenge that forced him out of the game, and it’s not clear whether he’ll be fit for Sunday’s match. 

Antony came on in the second half but couldn’t make it to the final whistle after struggling to keep up the pace. With Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund already out, manager Erik ten Hag is unlikely to risk Rashford and Antony unless they’re 100% fit. 

Indeed, with a Community Shield match against Manchester City on August 10, ten Hag won’t want to take any chances. If that’s the case, United will have an understrength side going into Sunday’s game, which could give Liverpool the edge. 

The Young Guns

Another factor to consider if you’re betting on Manchester United vs Liverpool this week is the recent performance of Harvey Elliott. The 21-year-old showed maturity beyond his years in midfield against Arsenal, setting up Mohamed Salah and Fabio Carvalho in the 2-1 victory. 

His attacking presence against Manchester United could prove pivotal, particularly with Liverpool showing a new defensive resilience under new manager Arne Slot. However, while Elliott can produce some vital assists, he can’t win the game on his own. 

Liverpool’s attacking line was largely absent for much of the second half against Arsenal, which suggests they might start strong but fade early. That’s certainly not unheard of when it comes to young players competing against top-tier teams. So, while Elliott is likely to have an impact on the game, his presence might not be felt for the entire duration.

Current form and historical dominance

The final thing to think about if you’re going to make a Manchester United vs Liverpool bet is how both teams have performed in recent weeks. Based on current form, Liverpool have won four of their last five pre-season matches, the other being a draw. In contrast, Manchester United have three wins and two losses. 

Obviously, these are friendly matches, so we can’t read too much into the results. However, if we’re siding with the in-form team, Liverpool should be the betting favourites. Going back in time, history supports this assumption. Although Manchester United had a purple patch in the early noughties and, more recently, Liverpool have the better overall record. 

As it stands, Liverpool have 91 wins over Manchester United since 1894. Of the games played, 70 have been draws, and United have won 81. What’s most notable about Liverpool’s record against Manchester United is the fact that they stole wins and draws during the early noughties. This tells us that, no matter how both teams are performing, Manchester United vs Liverpool is always a close encounter.

Manchester United vs Liverpool betting tips

Finding suitably juicy odds for this match is tough. Oddsmakers at the best UK betting sites are having a hard time separating the two teams in the outright markets. Things aren’t much better when you drill down into other types of bets. That being said, I think these are two Manchester United vs Liverpool tips worth considering this weekend:

Liverpool/Draw at 14/5 with Paddy Power

Based on the assumption that Liverpool started strong against Arsenal but faded slightly in the second half, I don’t think it’s crazy to assume they’ll go ahead early. The question then is how long they can last.

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United’s players won’t want to start the Premier League season with a loss to Liverpool, so expect them to pile on the pressure. If that’s the case, we could see United pull it back in the second half and the game finish 1-1.

⚽ Bet on the draw at 14/5 with Paddy Power ⚽

Over 2.5 Goals at 4/11 with Paddy Power

Both teams have shown they can score in recent matches. Liverpool have 12 from their last five friendlies, and United have eight. Add to this the fact that it’s a pre-season friendly, and players might be willing to take more chances than usual. 

Then, of course, we can’t forget the fact that these two teams are massive rivals. This bit of added spice could turn the final pre-season game into a goal-fest.

⚽ Back Over 2.5 goals at 4/11 with Paddy Power ⚽

📺 How to watch Manchester United vs Liverpool

• Location: The Williams-Brice Stadium, South Carolina
• Date and time: August 4, 12:30 am UK time. 
• How to watch: MUTV or LFCTV

About the author

Daniel Smyth

Daniel Smyth has seen the online poker, casino, and betting industry from every angle. He previously played poker semi-professionally before working at WPT Magazine as a writer and editor. From there, he transitioned to online gaming where he’s been producing expert content for over 10 years.

Follow Daniel on Twitter @DanSmythThePoet

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