The Redmen vs The Red Devils

A game between two of the oldest football rivals in the world is going to be played out tonight. Also known as the “The North-West Derby”, this game has been played so many times, I’ve lost count many moons ago. No seriously, this game has been played a 194 times since April 1894 with the Redmen’s greatest victory coming one year later in October 1895. They beat the Red Devils, known back then as “Newton Heath Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway F.C.”, a whopping 7-1 in the old Second Division of the time.

More recently, over the last 2 seasons, the Devils have beaten the Redmen 4 times on the trot, these being 0-1(Away), 3-1(Home), 2-1(Away) & 3-0(Home). But that could all be about to change as the Redmen, with the exception of the League Cup Final against Manchester City, are unbeaten in their last 6 fixtures, these being 1-2(Away v Crystal Palace, Premier League), 3-0(Home v Manchester City, Premier League), 1-1(At Wembley v Manchester City(3-1 to Man City after extra-time & penalties in the League Cup Final), 1-0(Home v Augsburg, Europa League), 0-0(Away v Augsburg, Europa League) and 0-6(Away v Aston Villa, Premier League).

Liverpool’s predicted starting line-up is excepted to consist of Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet, Defence: Alberto Moreno, Mamadou Sakho, Dejan Lovren and Nathaniel Clyne. Midfield: Emre Can, Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana. Forward: Daniel Sturridge.

One of Liverpool’s main weaknesses this season has been in defence and it is good news for them that Mamadou Sakho & Dejan Lovren, two of their three main centre backs, are fit and likely to continue their run of games this evening. Since local lad, Jon Flanagan hasn’t been selected to play in the Europa League, it is likely that Nathaniel Clyne will come in for him at Right Back and Alberto Moreno will play at Left Back.

Moving on into Midfield, I predict that Emre Can and Captain Jordan Henderson will start in the centre with Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino on either side of Adam Lallana who will act as the playmaker(the Number 10 role) behind the resurgent Daniel Sturridge.

Manchester United’s predicted starting line-up is excepted to consist of Goalkeeper: David De Gea, Defence: Chris Smalling, Matteo Darmian, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind. Midfield: Juan Mata, Morgan Schneiderlin, Michael Carrick, Memphis Depay and Ander Herrera. Forward: Anthony Martial.

It is much the same with Manchester, regarding their defence, as they have found it difficult this season to defend counter attacks and aerial duels with both Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind found wanting in their defeat to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. Among the back four, only Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo appeared to display any real effort when it came to defending.

With the Red Devil’s midfield, I’m predicting Morgan Schneiderlin and Michael Carrick to start in front of the back four as central defensive midfielders. In front of them, I expect Juan Mata, Ander Herrera and Memphis Depay to be a trio which have caused and will continue to cause opposing teams a few problems this season. This is due to Mata’s ability to run straight down the middle with both Herrera and Depay supporting him on his right and his left respectively. Up front, I expect Anthony Martial to start as the team’s main point of attack with Marouane Fellaini starting instead if he is fit as he is more likely to cause more problems for Liverpool in the air from free kicks & corners than Anthony Martial will.

Well, there you have it, a breakdown of tonight’s match between The Redmen vs The Red Devils, one of the oldest football team rivalries in the world.