In partnership with SetantaBet, 7Cantonas.com brings you “Tonge’s Tips”, a look ahead to the Premier League games in the 2012/13 season with a bit of a twist. Just like last season, Alan, the 7Cantonas team and the good fellows over at GGMU and United Rant are going head to head in their predictions, and want you, our readers, to join in.
Alan Quite simply, my favourite game of the season. Nothing stirs the emotions quite like a Liverpool v Man Utd encounter.
The past few seasons at Anfield have seen some really, really disappointing performances and surely, by the law of averages, we’re due to do the business once again!
I reckon it will be a tense, tight affair because of various circumstances, however I really believe we can beat them this time round and am going to tip up (with fingers and toes crossed) a 2-0 victory (10/1 with Setanta Bet)
For the bonus tip I’m going with van Persie scoring the first goal (5/1 with Setanta Bet)
Mart After last weeks perfect predictions, the pressure is on for me to now establish a commanding lead in my quest to keep my rightful place as the Tonge’s Tips most accurate predictor!
United travel to Anfield in what is going to be a emotional atmosphere as this is the first home game since the Liverpool fans rightly got their truth from the Hillsborough inquiry and one that I was absolutely delighted to read, despite already knowing the truth about what happened on that fateful day in April 1989.
United haven’t won at Anfield in the league since December 2007 when a single Carlos Tevez goal gave us a 1-0 win in a poor game so I’ll be hoping that we can pick up the three points in this one. Ferguson confirmed that Rooney will miss the game as expected so the expectations fall to Robin van Persie. My head says draw but my heart says we’ll win this one narrowly.
I’m backing a 2-1 United win (8/1 with Setanta Bet)
For my other prediction, following the Liverpool/United game, the super dooper wonderful Sunday serves up Man City V Arsenal at the Etihad. This game was 2-0 in City’s favour last season so I’m going to back the draw in a 2-2 pulsating game (14/1 with Setanta Bet)
Ed Liverpool versus Manchester United has always evoked memories of great matches and intense rivalry. This weekend is likely to be both poignant and tense given the Independent Hillsborough Panel report released two week’s ago, together with controversy over United supporters anti-Liverpool chants sung against Wigan Athletic last weekend. Add the background of Luis Suarez’ racial abuse of Patrice Evra in the same fixture last season, and this Sunday’s clash becomes something greater than the sum of parts.
Media eyes will be focused on United’s 3,000 travelling fans, although match-going Reds have plenty to say about the opposition’s behaviour in relation to the Munich disaster in recent years. But this is no time for moral relativism; it is a time for mutual and solemn respect of those who have been lost. With flowers set to be laid by Sir Alex Ferguson and Bobby Charlton at the Kop, and captains Nemanja Vidic and Steven Gerrard releasing 96 red balloons, it is unthinkable that supporters on both sides won’t behave in a fitting manner.
On the pitch United has failed to produce either the performances or results at Anfield
recently – Ferguson’s men are certainly due a victory after failing to win on Merseyside since December 2007. But neither side has started the campaign in top gear, although somehow United has ground out four wins from five matches despite some shockingly poor defensive performances.
As always it is in midfield where the questions of Ferguson’s men will be asked; expect the Scot to deploy a conservative approach, possibly including Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick and a third central midfielder. If United get the balance right an away victory is a fair possibility, especially given Liverpool’s struggles in front of goal.
I’m backing a 1-0 United win (6/1 with Setanta Bet)
But for once in a United-Liverpool fixture the match will be secondary to the commemoration of Hillsborough’s victims. At least until kick off.
Elsewhere, Manchester City face Arsenal at Eastlands on Sunday. Roberto Mancini’s men, although eight points from four matches is an average return to date. By contrast Arsene Wenger’s men are flying after hammering Southampton last weekend, and winning in Europe during the week. Could the Londoners cause an upsets? It may be a task too far but a high scoring draw is worth a punt. 2-2 (14/1 with Setanta Bet)
My tip: L’pool-United 1-1.
Bonus tip: City-Arsenal 3-2.
COME ON UNITED!!!