Manchester United vs Liverpool

Preview

An unusually high amount of media mind-games has fueled what some are calling a top of the table 6 pointer, but most are calling the title decider. Not a title decider in the sense that the winner of the match will win the League, rather "decider" in the sense that if Liverpool lose, their race is over. Over-rated moan man Rafa Benitez himself has said "If we don't win it will be very difficult to win the title. If we want to be in the title race we have to win at Old Trafford". A win for Manchester United would see the Champions go 10 points clear of Liverpool with a game in hand. That's potentially a 13 point gap with 9 games to go. Perhaps a loss will do Rafa Benitez a favour and pre-vindicate the shocking team selections he is likely to make in the League next month ahead of Liverpool's Champions League games. A Liverpool win would put them 4 points behind United and would add pressure to the Red Devils' already tricky game-in-hand at Craven Cottage.
Both sides know that Chelsea play their weekend game tomorrow vs hit-and-miss Manchester City in what should be an unpredictable encounter. Points tomorrow are not guaranteed for the Blues so both Ferguson and Benitez would love to register 3 points today and put their feet up tomorrow.
Liverpool have dropped 14 points on the road this season whilst United have dropped just 2 at home. United have also only conceded 5 goals at home and have racked up 11 successive League wins.
Liverpool are without Agger and Benayoun though Gerrard and Torres are both match fit.
Manchester United have no new concerns but are still without Neville, Rafael, Brown and Hargreaves - O'Shea likely to keep his right back position.
Like I say in all big games - don't be surprised to see Ji-Sung Park in the starting lineup. His high work rate and defensive awareness has him in Sir Alex's good books. Carlos Tevez and Anderson are both being slated for starts, though I don't see why Ferguson would waver from the solid Carrick and Scholes partnership. Wayne "I hate Liverpool" Rooney seems fired up for this encounter and given his recent run of goals he is a must to start. Evra, Ferdinand and Vidic will join O'Shea at the back with van der Sar hoping to produce another clean sheet behind them. The final position will be taken by either Berbatov or Tevez - respectively the provider and scorer of United's goal vs. Liverpool earlier this season. I haven't seen enough from Berbatov of late to show that he will take his one chance if it falls to him - though his first touch and footwork midweek was immense. Carlos Tevez's West Ham saga is reportedly and finally over - allowing him to focus on his football and his new contract. This could be the perfect time for Sir Alex to show faith in the Argentine. Also, I believe Tevez will offer more wide support for Park (if picked), compared to Berbatov who is more inclined to stay central, hold up the ball and distribute out wide.
Throw your stat books out the window, anyone can win this. As far as United are concerned, Carrick will have to be at the top of his game to avoid being squeezed into a Gerrard-Alonso sandwich. He and Scholes will be key to keeping Manchester United's game flowing and to unleash the wide men.

Prediction

Manchester United 2 - 0 Liverpool