North West rivals Manchester United and Liverpool meet at Old Trafford on Sunday
This season Manchester United were expected to compete for a place in the top four alongside bitter-rivals Liverpool.
While the Red Devils have hit a spot of form, the Merseyside Reds have floundered this season so far.
United host their north west rivals at Old Trafford on Sunday in the early kick-off looking to make it six consecutive victories.
Run
United’s current run of form has to make the Red Devils favourites to claim victory in this clash.
The strange thing is that United have not played that well in those victories, but like any good team does have emerged with victories.
United’s performance against Southampton last time out was particularly poor, yet Van Gaal’s team took their chances and won the game, courtesy of a brace from Dutch striker Robin van Persie on the south coast.
Stumbling
Liverpool’s form has been wildly inconsistent this season. In their last six games the Reds have won two drawn three and lost one, after suffering three straight defeats previously. The victories over Stoke and Leicester City were not entirely convincing either.
The Reds needed a late goal from Glen Johnson to beat the Potters at Anfield, while Leicester played for nearly half an hour with ten men in the other victory.
Goals
The current problem for Liverpool is a lack of goal threat. With star striker Daniel Sturridge currently sidelined through injury the Reds are struggling to get on the scoresheet. Seven goals in their last five games in all competitions illustrate the point.
Former-Southampton striker Rickie Lambert is yet to settle on his return to his home city and he seems to be Brendan Rodgers only attacking option at this point, with both Mario Balotelli and Sturridge sidelined through injury.
Italian forward Fabio Borini was back at the club after spending last season on-loan at Sunderland. The former-Chelsea trainee seemed determined to prove his worth for the Reds, but in his limited game time this season has struggled to make an impact.
This is a major problem that Brendan Rodgers needs to address before their season goes up in smoke.
Timing
On paper this is a game that Liverpool really does not need at this point. With United on such a good run of form it could be a matter of terrible timing for the Reds to visit Old Trafford. However, the Red Devils are not playing well, so it could actually work in the Merseysider’s favour.
Brendan Rodgers side will take heart from the fact that they claimed a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford in March. The difference between then and now is the fact that the Reds are not the confident outfit they were last season.
The men from Merseyside also do not have their lethal strike-partnership from last season, which scored the majority of the Reds goals.
Dangerous
United on the other hand have strikers who seem to be just hitting form. Dutch striker Robin van Persie has struggled to find his top form this season, but has scored three goals in his last three Premier League appearances, including a brace against Southampton last time out.
England striker Wayne Rooney has also been in-form in recent games, scoring two goals and collecting an assist in his last three Premier League appearances. Neither of them has even hit top form yet.
Fiery
Despite the fact that neither looks likely to challenge for the Premier League title, this contest will still be fiery and heated. Games between the two rivals are always important, no matter where the two clubs are in the league table.
Both teams need a victory in this contest, but it is seems that it is the red men of Manchester that is more likely to be victorious on Sunday afternoon.
Who will come out on top between the North West giants?
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