Liverpool vs. Manchester United: Red Devils Will Nip Rival Reds in Thriller

It's been some time since the North West derby meant as much as it does this season.

Manchester United and Liverpool are duking it out for the top of the table in the English Premier League like old times, though the Reds' recent resurgence won't be quite enough to net them three points at Anfield.

Not even with LeBron James cheering them on, albeit as a minority shareholder.

Simply put, Sir Alex Ferguson's side is too strong and too deep at too many positions to allow Kenny Dalglish and company to pull out a big win, irrespective of how loud and incessant the chants of the Kop may be.

The Red Devils sport the most potent attack in all of English football, one whose lethality extends well beyond just Wayne Rooney and his fresh head of hair. Danny Welbeck is back to his revelatory self after a brief absence on account of a hamstring strain, which, interestingly enough, gave Chicharito the perfect opportunity regain his proper form.

New boy Ashley Young has been fearless on the wing, but the real story of Man U's goal-scoring brigade this season is Nani, the Portuguese winger had arguably been playing the best football of anyone in the Premiership heading into the most recent international break.

Fergie's young defense had been somewhat suspect in the early going, giving up the most shots on goal of any group in the league, but should be much more stout now that skipper Nemanja Vidic will be rejoining Rio Ferdinand on the back line.

And while the loss of young starlet Tom Cleverley seemed to be a blow to the midfield, the return of Darren Fletcher has since shored up Fergie's starting XI quite nicely.

That's not to say that Liverpool don't have the pieces to compete with, and possibly beat, United at Anfield, where the Red Devils have lost their last three. Luis Suarez has played as well as any striker in the EPL this season, with the likes of Andy Carroll, Dirk Kuyt and the recently-recovered Steven Gerrard providing support.

If the Reds can get Vidic sent off once again, they'll find the path the goal against David de Gea that much more wide open.

This one could easily result in a draw, though Man U should have just enough in their attack to escape Merseyside with a 2-1 victory and a nine-point cushion in the standings.