Preview: Man United Vs Liverpool

It just can't get any better than this.

One team wants salvation. Their season has gone horribly wrong and by beating their fiercest rival, it boosts their next season's Champions League qualification and most importantly it puts a serious dent in their rival's hopes of a record 4th successive league title and a record 19th league title.

The other team wants redemption. Last season, they were thrashed badly. They lost 4-1 in fron of their home crowd. Such stuff should never ever happen. They let themselves badly down. They let the home crowd badly down. They want to make it correct. And most of all, a win would boost their hopes for another title.

It's Manchester United versus Liverpool at Old Trafford.

And the match up just got better. With Liverpool winning 3-0 at hime, both teams now face each other on the back of impressive wins. and with Torres scoring a brace again after Monday's night double against bottom club, Portsmouth, both team's star strikers are on absolute fire.

It's Wayne Rooney versus Fernando Torres.

I strongly tip United to keep a clean sheet and also I strongly tip a home win.

How's that for being positive. :D

The stats will back me on this.

Liverpool has been awful away from home. Their last 6 away matches saw them record a W-D-D-L-D-L. 29th December 2009 was the last time Liverpool won away from home in the league. They beat Aston Villa 1-0 that day.

How ironic. Aston Villa was the last team to score a goal at Old Trafford. That was 12th December 2009, when Man United lost to Aston Villa 1-0 at home. Since then, United has won every game and they have not let in a single goal too!

Yup, United has won their last 7 matches at home. Scoring 26, letting in 0! Have a look at United's matches since that defeat to Aston Villa at home.

Man Utd 3 Wolverhampton 0
Man Utd 5 Wigan 0
Man Utd 3 Burnley 0
Man Utd 4 Hull 0
Man Utd 5 Portsmouth 0
Man Utd 3 West Ham 0
Man Utd 3 Fulham 0

Ah, the critics would argue those teams weren't strong. True but it's still a very impressive home form and it gives the home team confidence. Footie is very much a game of confidence, yes?

And one very important issue to point out is that United will have a strong defence back. VDS will be back in goal and Evra, Rio and Vidic will be back together in the back four. The unknown issue is the right back slot. The main defence is back after a season of injuries.

Ok, Torres is only just returning and the last two games, he is looking extremely sharp. 4 goals in the last two games certainly would boost his confidence. But Rooney is also on fire! He too has banged in 4 goals in his last 2 matches! What a dream match-up.

But that's about it where Liverpool matches with United. I thought it was a huge mistake selling Xavi Alonso and it's all Rafa's fault. I do not blame Alonso for leaving at all. In fact, I thought it was amazing that he stayed the previous season after learning that his boss was trying to sell him! Without Alonso, Liverpool had been extremely dreadful to watch this season and worst still, Rafa played a lot matches with Mascherano and Lucas. That team simply lacked creativity. Summer signing Aquilani is still a question mark and to compound matters worse, there is still no news if he has recovered from his virus attack. And Maxi Rodriguez hasn't impressed in a Liverpool jersey.

And in the back four, Mr. Liverpool, Jamie Carragher isn't having a great season. The back four has been weak. Ok, young Insua have impressed in certain matches but he's young. So comparing the attack versus defense between both teams, I favour United more and I believe that if Fergie plays both Nani and Valencia, Liverpool would have a tough time trying to contain United's wingers.

All said.... I strongly tip United to win!

Yeah babe. Comeon Rooney... hit another brace, ok? :D