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Manchester United vs Liverpool Preview: Player Performance Index, Predicted Lineups, And Predictions

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Manchester United vs Liverpool Predicted Lineups

Manchester United vs Liverpool Preview   – 17:30, Saturday 12th September

EA Sports Player Performance Index
EA Sports Player Performance Index

United will play host to Liverpool in this season’s first meeting of these Northern rivals. United had made a strong start to the season picking up six points from their first two matches, and will be keen to get back to winning ways following on from a draw and their first defeat of the season in their last two matches. A win could see United climb as high as second in the league, as they look to maintain pace with the early table toppers.

Liverpool come into this weekend’s fixture level on points with their hosts, having picked up the same amount of points in each of the four weekends of Premier League fixtures as United. Liverpool’s inferior goal difference means they sit below their fierce rivals in the league, but will be hoping to make the journey back to Liverpool with all three points, that will see them leapfrog the red half of Manchester in the league standings.

Both Nathaniel Clyne and Luke Shaw have impressed early this season, as demonstrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, resulting in bothrepresenting England last weekend. Clyne has the edge in the tackling department, winning 90.9% of his 11 challenges, compared to Shaw’s 63.6% of tackles won, also managing seven interceptions to Shaw’s five. On the ball however, Shaw has an assist to his name and has completed 86.3% of his 212 attempted passes, in comparison to Clyne’s 77.3% completion rate from his 163 attempted passes.

In the middle of the park, Juan Mata and Philippe Coutinho have both made good starts this season for their respective sides, as demonstrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Both have netted a goal apiece from four shots on target, and a crucial factor in this match could be who wins the battle of the midfield and dictates the pace of play. Mata has the edge over Coutinho in the passing department having completed 88.5% of his 217 passes attempted, in comparison to Coutinho’s 73.7% pass completion rate from his 152 attempts.

The battle of the front men will see Rooney and Benteke pitted against each other as the two most likely men to do the damage for their respective sides. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that both men have had one eye on defending this season, having both made two clearances, with Benteke adding a further two interceptions and three blocks to his name. Rooney has won 50% of his eight tackles and Benteke has won 42.9% of his seven challenges.

Predicted Lineups

Manchester United vs Liverpool Predicted Lineups

Prediction

Manchester United 2 Liverpool 1