Premier League: Manchester United v Liverpool Odds and Betting Preview

MANCHESTER, UK: Defending Premier League Champions Manchester United host bitter rivals Liverpool on Saturday as they look to replace leaders Manchester City at the top of the table, if only for one day. The Red Devils are the bookmakers' favourites to beat Kenny Dalglish's side, against whom they suffered an FA Cup defeat just two weeks ago, with BetVictor top price at odds of 9/10 (bet £10 to win £9 profit). The draw is available at 13/5 with Bet 365 and Totesport, while Liverpool are 7/2 with Coral to boost their Champions League ambitions by taking all three points. 

Last Sunday saw United mount an incredible comeback against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, overcoming a 3-0 deficit to share the spoils in a 3-3 draw, and if Sir Alex Ferguson's side will be more confident than ever that they can keep City's hands off their crown come May. Liverpool's last game, against Tottenham on Monday, was something of a tired affair and raised questions over their ability to create goals in big games. That said, the return of Luis Suarez from suspension is sure to give them a shot in the arm, and Steven Gerrard appears to have recovered his sharpness after his own recent lengthy lay-off.

With Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez lining up against each other adding an extra dimension to the game, bookmakers have been quick to set up plenty of special markets relating to the two players. Paddy Power go 4/6 about Evra to foul Suarez first, with Suarez on Evra an 11/10. Boylesports offer best odds of 5/6 about 'Yes' and 'No' that the players shake hands before kick-off. Bet Victor makes the players swapping shirts a 20/1 shot. Stan James quote best odds of 11/4 for either player to be booked for fouling the other.

The game looks as if it could be a close one and a 1-1 draw is the most likely score, priced at 13/2 with William Hill. The same firm also offer 7/1 on a 1-0 win for United, with 2-1 and 2-0 available at 8/1 and 17/2 with Coral, while a goalless draw, in the event of which Bet 365 will refund losing HT/FT, scorecast and correct score bets, can be backed at 11/1 with Blue Square and 888 Sport. Those who believe Liverpool can cause an upset with a repeat of their 2-1 win of a fortnight ago can get odds of 14/1 with Betfred and BetVictor.

Wayne Rooney led the way in West London last week with two penalties to get his team on the comeback trail and the England star is 4/1 favourite with Sky Bet to open the scoring on Saturday, although he has a poor record against Liverpool and has failed to find the net in any of his last five games against them. Javier Hernandez, though, scorer of the winner on Sunday, has struck in two of his last three against the Merseysiders and can be backed at 111/2 with Paddy Power to draw first blood, with Danny Welbeck and Dimitar Berbatov available at 6/1 and 7/1 with Boylesports. The returning Luis Suarez is obviously Liverpool's best hope of scoring the game's first goal, at 15/2 with Coral, but a more interesting bet could be Dirk Kuyt, whose winning strike in the most recent meeting between the pair was his fourth in three games against these opponents, at 12/1 with Bet 365.

United are 2/1 with Coral to lead at both half-time and full-time and 4/1 with Boylesports to win the match after drawing at half-time. Betfred go 5/1 that both halves finish level, while Liverpool/Liverpool and draw/Liverpool are 7/1 and 9/1 respectively with Blue Square and 888 Sport.

Manchester City are favourites for the Premier League title this season, at 4/7 with William Hill, but are sure to be looking over their shoulders at United, who are no longer than 15/8 with Stan James and Bodog. Liverpool's ambition will not exceed a place in the top four, for which they are 10/3 with Betfred.

The game kicks off at 12.45 GMT and will be live on Sky Sports. For Live Odds and Scores' in-depth betting analysis, watch our video below.

Manchester United v Liverpool match betting odds

Premier League winner betting odds

Premier League top four betting odds