Ace Football previews the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool, and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
Manchester City welcome Liverpool to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening for the standout fixture of this weekend’s Premier League.
The two sides have dominated title race for the past couple of seasons, but appear to have run into company this time around. City, for instance, are in the lower half of the standings after six games. While Liverpool, who have played a game extra, are tied with Southampton at the very top.
The outcome of the showdown in Manchester could make a telling impact on their respective campaigns. For City, in particular, avoiding defeat is a must if they hope to establish another title challenge.
Although the hosts won the corresponding fixture 4-0 last season and haven’t lost to Liverpool at home in the Premier League since 2015.
Either way, it should be a splendid affair as both teams seek to enter the international break with a morale-boosting victory.
Manchester City Form & Stats
Pep Guardiola’s side find themselves in an unfamiliar territory outside the top 10 in the standings. They may still only be six games in, but defeat to Liverpool would do some serious damage to their title hopes.
An eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions, however, suggests City have rediscovered their form. Their Champions League form, in particular, has been outstanding so far. Three wins out of three have come their way, with three goals scored in each fixture.
Last Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Olympiakos also saw the Citizens register three successive clean sheets for the first time since September 2019.
On the downside, however, they’ve struggled for firepower upfront in the Premier League. Only nine goals have come their way so far, with Sergio Aguero injured again. Although Gabriel Jesus is back and scored on his return against Olympiakos.
Key Team Stats
- Won eight of their last nine home league games.
- Over 2.5 goals in 10 of their last 11 home games against Liverpool in all competitions.
- Kept a clean sheet in seven of their last nine home league games.
Liverpool Form & Stats
Jurgen Klopp is under no illusions over what awaits on Sunday, having described the clash as ‘the most difficult game in the world of football’ in his pre-match conference. His defense, in particular, is set for a grueling evening.
To be fair, concerns over how Liverpool would cope without Virgil van Dijk have been eased of late. Their makeshift defense isn’t perfect, but it has kept three clean sheets in the club’s last five games – including that 5-0 win away to Atalanta in the Champions League last time out.
Keeping the free-scoring Italians at bay was, no doubt, the highlight of the match for Klopp. It would’ve served his patched-up defense well, and Joel Matip’s expected return should provide a timely boost. But will that be enough to stop City’s attackers?
Diogo Jota’s incredible start to his Reds career, meanwhile, might give him the nod over Roberto Firmino in the line-up.
Key Team Stats
- Won their last five games in all competitions.
- Won four of their last nine away league games (D2 L4).
- Scored two or more goals in their last nine league games.
- Diogo Jota has scored six goals in his last four games in all competitions.
- Mohamed Salah has scored seven goals in seven league games this season.
Team News
Manchester City: Benjamin Mendy, Fernandinho & Sergio Aguero (all out).
Liverpool: Virgil van Dijk, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Thiago Alcantara, & Fabinho (all out).
Predicted Line-up
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top scorers in recent Premier League games
Head-To-Head Record
Match Facts
Betting Tips
More Odds
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