Match of the Day: Manchester United vs Liverpool F.C.

Man United v Liverpool is always a huge game but this one really is massive- whoever wins will have one foot in the Champions League next season. The fixture list has been kinder to Liverpool in that they’re already through to the last eight in that competition, whereas United have a vital home leg against Sevilla on Tuesday night- and Mourinho will surely be thinking of saving legs for that after a stalemate away from home a fortnight ago.

Mourinho Parking the Bus?

With that in mind, Mourinho would snap your hand off if you offered him a point now, and regular readers of this column will know we love a Mourinho 0-0, having tipped up the aforementioned Sevilla result.

No Goalscorer should surely be shorter than the 10/1 available with William Hill and Bet365. The two played out a dull stalemate at Anfield earlier this season and a repeat performance -particularly given that it suits Mourinho- is well worth a flutter at double figure quotes. It’s worth remembering that this fixture was 0-0 last season as well.

When United do draw 0-0, it’s usually down to David de Gea. He’s undoubtedly the best goalkeeper in the Premier League and pulled off a blinder to keep his clean sheet intact in that 0-0 in Seville. He was Man of the Match during the last goalless draw these two fought out earlier in the season and he’s 14/1 to be Man of the Match again with Coral.

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

On to the late game, Chelsea v Crystal Palace. At first glance, you’d think Chelsea were bankers. Bet365  are short at 1/4 the home side, and it’s 3/10 generally. When you have a look at both recent results and the head-to-head record between the two sides, you’d want your head looking at if you’re getting stuck in to the Blues at such a short price.

Chelsea have lost four of their last five Premier League games. Four of their last five! That includes a 4-1 hiding away at Watford and a 3-0 reverse at home to Bournemouth. Considering that alone, you’d think Palace look like value at 12/1.

When you look at the recent history between the Blues and the Eagles, the 12/1 looks bigger still. Palace beat Chelsea 2-1 at Selhurst Park earlier this season, and beat them 2-1 at the Bridge last season. The season before that, at Stamford Bridge? Yep, 2-1 to Palace. There’s no way we’re not having a dabble on 2-1 Palace again, at 35/1 (William Hill, 33/1 generally).

Crystal Palace Fighting to Stay in the Premier League

Palace only have their Premier League survival to worry about this season- Chelsea are playing Barcelona in Camp Nou on Wednesday night. It would be a surprise if Conte doesn’t have one eye on that, particularly as Champions League qualification via the Premier League is now out of their hands.

Palace are fighting for their lives in one of the tightest relegation scraps in living memory. Just three points separate Stoke in 19th with Swansea in 13th and Palace are fighting tooth and nail for every point. Sure, they are struggling with injuries, but their performance against United on Monday (they were 2-0 up before eventually going down 3-2) suggests they are worth supporting this week. We’ll be backing Palace to win at 11/1 with Bet365– because if they go 2-0 up you get paid out as a winner straight away.

It’s worth remembering that Bet365 also offers this for every Premier League game- if you’d have backed Palace last week with them you’d have been paid out as a winner- anyone else and you’d have done your dough. Palace are due a bit of luck after Monday’s anguish- and indeed after Kane’s 88th minute soul-crusher in Spurs’ 1-0 win at Selhurst Park the game before. If you like a short one, Coral’s 4/11 on Palace +3 goals is as close to a certainty as you’re going to get this weekend.

As we say every week, best of luck with whatever you’re backing, and enjoy the games.