Friday, March 9, 2018

EPL 2017/18 - Week 30

Man Utd v/s Liverpool - Home win
Everton v/s Brighton - Home win
Huddersfield v/s Swansea - Draw
Newcastle v/s Southampton - Draw
WBA v/s Leicester - Draw
West Ham v/s Burnley - Home win
Chelsea v/s Crystal Palace - Home win
Arsenal v/s Watford - Home win
Bournemouth v/s Tottenham - Away win
Stoke v/s Man City - Away win

It's true that in terms of rivalry, nothing in England can surpass Man Utd against Liverpool; it is indeed the fiercest one in English football. With the title going to Man City, the main stake for these 2 clubs is second place at best, and the bragging rights, if any, that go with it. Klopp has transformed the Kops into a swashbuckling goal scoring machine. Great for the eyes and supporters. The Citizens might differ but I believe they are the most entertaining side in the league. Their upfront trio of Salah, Firmino and Mane can blow apart any defence. Liverpool go into any game with a chance to win.

This is exactly the type of side that Mourinho likes to play. And excel at. Earlier at Anfield, he doubly parked the bus to get a draw goal-less draw. The Portuguese hates to get his team thrashed and will build any needed walls to not lose face. He will certainly be less defensive at Old Trafford but his tactics against such type of adversary will be tilted to not conceding goals rather than putting them in. Hopeful for the typical Kop defensive blunder or other lightning-quick counter-attacks with the likes of Sanchez and Lukaku. Expect the above trio to starve for space and be tightly-checked for most parts of the match.

On form, Liverpool have the edge. But this is more an off-game than anything; throw away the form and the team with the most desire more often prevails in these types of encounters. It's hard to see the hosts losing this; I see Mourinho prepping up the players' minds to win by all means irrespective of the football product on the pitch. Liverpool's dynamic play will be stifled and the Red Devils will be ready to pounce on the common liberties given by the visitors. I see a draw-no-bet with the hosts as a great value play. For those looking for better risk/rewards, an outright home win is definitely in the cards.

Win or draw-no-bet: Man Utd

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