MANCHESTER UNITED VS. LIVERPOOL- ROONEY FAVOURITE TO SCORE

Liverpool travel to Old Trafford this weekend in what promises to be yet another riveting chapter in the English Premiership 2010/11 season
With Liverpool having a less than ideal start to their Premiership campaign; many are expecting this to be a more one-sided affair- a complete turnaround to the classic clashes experienced in the past
With Roy Hodgson clearly beginning to feel the pressure of leading a side with the history, and reputation of a club of this stature, many will be viewing this as the opportune game in which to assess his progress thus far.
Another notable progression has been Liverpool star striker Fernando Torres having come under heavy criticism following his below-par performance in the goalless draw at Birmingham last Sunday
On the other side and after two vastly contrasting draws, United will be seeking a win of any kind come Sunday.
With anyone assuming that this game could potentially have the ability to peter out to the first draw between these two teams since 2005,need only to look at Sir Alex’s recall of some of his 'big guns', including Dimitar Berbatov who has scored in four of his five appearances so far this season, to assess his intent .
In Liverpool team news- the Reds have two absentees through injury in the forms of Dirk Kuyt (shoulder) and Fabio Aurelio (Achilles).
On the united starting sheet, Antonio Valencia is out for an undisclosed time after fracturing his left ankle against Rangers. Michael Carrick will not take part as he continues to recover from an Achilles problem.
Betfair have placed United as heavy favourites leading into this math with Man U a good bet at 1.73, to Liverpool's 5.8- a clear indication of the massive gap clearly evident between these two legendary teams this season.
As to be expected Sir Alex is to start with Rooney up front after he was left out against Everton last week, as well as Rio Ferdinand, who has been missing for four months with a knee injury.
This bodes well for both the United attack, as well as defence, with Rooney dead on favourite to open the scoring at Old Trafford at 4.5, and 1.91 to score at any time. Dimitar Berbatov is next up at 2.2, with united stalwart Giggs at 4.33
Liverpool have their hopes pinned on Fernando Torres at 3.0 to score, with Joe Cole coming off a first minute return goal in the mid week Europa league game, set at 5.0
The Torres placement might be somewhat risky with it agonisingly clear that he is still a million miles short of peak condition, and a long way from what is expected from him in the Premier League.
Even with the heavy odds in United’s favour, the odds are still tight on a low scoring affair. A 1-0 United win will see odds of 6.0, with a more likely 2-0 at 7.5
A Liverpool win at 1-0 is enticing at 13.0, with a 2-0 win set at an embarrassing 29.0- a far cry from the odds seen for such a breakdown only a year ago.
It is difficult to imagine this one ending as a draw, as after some rather disappointing level matches for United thus far, Sir Alex will be letting his Red Devils know that nothing less than a win against an out-of-sorts Liverpool side will do
Prediction: United to win this 2-1