It’s a massive game at the top end of the Premier League. City find themselves in a proper hunt at the moment, whilst Liverpool need to try and stay relevant for those Champions League places.
To Win Match
Manchester City 5/8 | Draw 3/1 | Liverpool 4/1
Manchester City
I mean if you’re Liverpool (or any club for that matter) it isn’t really the greatest time to be playing City, is it? The international break might have put a systematic halt on their momentum, but after beating Redbull Leipzig 7-0 in the Champions League and Burnley 6-0 in the FA Cup – its Liverpool who now visit Pep Guardiola’s men in Manchester.
A lot will be made of City in the Champions League, we know that and expect it to be fair. However, that shouldn’t take anything away from their performances in the league. They are chasing Arsenal, which I think suits them a little bit, and with a game in hand, they are only eight points off the league leaders.
The pressure this season isn’t on the men in blue, surely that is a welcomed change. Although for me I think it might spur an even more aggressive stance from the defending champions. They aren’t seen as the trend setters in England anymore, Guardiola is to an extent being stood up by his apprentice and these narratives wouldn’t sit well at the Etihad. Surely?
City have confidence, ability, and know-how. It’s a dangerous combination for a side to face, let alone a side who have had their own moments of insecurity this season.
Predicted Line-up: Ederson; Ake, Dias, Akanji, Stones, Gundogan, Rodri, Grealish, Silva, Alvarez, Haaland.
Liverpool
For all of Liverpool’s faltering this season, they find themselves seven points off those Champions League spots with two games in hand. I suppose it is relevant to say that they are chasing Spurs – but Newcastle and Brighton might pose unforeseen challenges with just a handful of fixtures remaining.
It would be easy to go through Liverpool’s season and point out their goals scored, wins, draws and losses, but it really is challenging to try and point out why this season has seen such a rapid decline.
Klopp’s seventh year hoodoo, the fact that they competed in so many trophies last year (which obviously brings with it fixtures) but I’m not sure. They have shown in moments that they are still a dangerous side with an unrelenting attacking ability.
The elephant in the room of course is this, the Reds will see a game like this as an opportunity. A chance to make a massive statement. Should they go to the Etihad on Saturday and come back to Anfield with a win and the three points which go with it – I would go as far as to say that the face of their season changes.
Predicted Line-up: Alisson, Robertson, Van Dijk, Konate, Alexander-Arnold, Elliot, Fabinho, Bajcetic, Nunez, Gakpo, Salah.
Verdict: Manchester City Win (5/8)
Manchester City win this. I’ve added this to my weekend multiple (and I’ll say that with my chest). They won’t fall into the trap of making this end-to-end and allowing Liverpool into the game, but they won’t have to play on the counter either because I don’t think Liverpool will see much of the ball.
