Big Game Focus: Manchester United v Liverpool

The Big Game Focus takes a look at the largest game of the day, giving you possible team line-ups, form and betting advice.

Traditional English giants Manchester United and Liverpool clash late tonight in an International Championship Cup (ICC) match at the Michigan Stadium. With just two weeks to go until the start of the new Premier League season, either side will be eager to at least put on an impressive performance against their fiercest rivals.

Here is our guide to the match.

Betting tips

Daniel Sturridge has gotten a second lease of life at Liverpool and will spend the upcoming season at Anfield. He has a good record when playing against United, with five goals against the Red Devils in his time as a Liverpool player. Back him as Anytime Goalscorer at promising odds of 2.40 here.

Both Teams to Score has occurred in two of the last three matches between the two sides. They will both want to make a mark against their sworn enemy, albeit in this friendly encounter. Bet on Both Teams to Score at 1.55 here.

The Reds have a majority of their best players available and are much better prepared than their rivals, who are still waiting for the return of the likes of Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford. A win for Liverpool is valued at odds of 1.85 here.

Team news

United are still without a huge chunk of their playing contingent who were involved in the late stages of the World Cup. Players from France, England and Belgium – who all played in the final week of the tournament are yet to return. Victor Lindelöf of Sweden and Argentina’s Marcos Rojo are also still away. Anthony Martial left the club’s tour of the United States to attend the birth of his son whilst newly installed captain Antonio Valencia sustained a calf injury last week and is a doubt for the start of the season.

Liverpool have fewer absentees from the World Cup, with only England’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson as well as Simon Mignolet of Belgium and Croatia’s Dejan Lovren still to return. Nathaniel Clyne also returned to the UK for personal reasons, but new signing Xherdan Shaqiri could make his first appearance after joining up with the squad earlier this week.

Likely line-ups

Manchester United: Grant; Darmian, Bailly, Smalling, Shaw; Herrera, Pereira, McTominay; Gomes, Sanchez, Mata

Liverpool: Karius; Gomez, Van Dijk, Klavan, Robertson; Milner, Fabinho, Keita; Salah, Sturridge, Mané