MY ACCOUNT
– Manchester City have the best points-per-game home record in the Premier League
– Liverpool have won only one of their last 13 league trips to the Etihad
– Recommended bet: Manchester City to win and under 2.5 goals
The Premier League returns with a bang on Saturday when Manchester City host Liverpool in the early kick-off and Pep Guardiola’s side are tipped to come out on top in the eagerly-anticipated clash.
Recent games between these modern-day rivals have become a centrepiece fixture of the Premier League calendar but Liverpool’s marked dip in form this season means a place in the top four is the limit of their ambitions after a disappointing campaign.
But there will be no lack of motivation for Jurgen Klopp’s men as they look to claw their way back into the Champions League places while scuppering the title ambitions of City.
The Citizens, however, will want take any emotion out of the fixture and simply get the job done as they look to defend their league crown.
With Arsenal setting a scorching pace at the top of the table, one slight slip could be enough to dethrone the reigning champions.
Team news
Manchester City forward Phil Foden is unavailable after undergoing appendix surgery, while prolific striker Erling Haaland is a doubt due to a groin strain.
Klopp again has a number of Liverpool absentees to work around, with young midfielder Stefan Bajcetic set to miss the rest of the season, while Thiago Alcantara is still out with a groin problem.
Defender Joe Gomez is another major doubt but Luis Diaz could be back in the squad after a lengthy knee injury and fellow forward Darwin Nunez is expected to recover from an ankle knock.
Left-back Kostas Tsimikas is rated only 50/50 to return from a rib injury.
The stats
Liverpool beat Manchester City 1-0 at Anfield in October and have a strong home record against the Citizens but have won on only one of their last 13 league trips to the Etihad Stadium, losing three of the last five, while they also went down 3-2 there in this season’s Carabao Cup fourth round.
The Reds have also won only one of their last six away games in all competitions, losing at Wolves, Bournemouth, Brighton and Real Madrid, with the only victory coming against 10-man Newcastle.
Klopp’s men have failed to score in four of their last five away games and visit a Manchester City side who have won their last six matches in all competitions by scores of 6-0, 7-0, 1-0, 2-0, 3-0 and 4-1.
City have slipped up away at Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle this season, but comfortably beat all three back on home soil, seeing off United 6-3, Spurs 4-2 and Newcastle 2-0 to rack up more points-per-game at home than any other Premier League side.
Prediction
Manchester City went into the international break having built up a head of steam, thrashing Burnley 6-0 in the FA Cup and RB Leipzig 7-0 in the Champions League while taking 16 points from a possible 18 in the Premier League — a run that includes a 3-1 defeat of Arsenal.
Had this clash been at Anfield then it would be tough to call given Liverpool’s excellent home record against City but Guardiola’s men have been imperious in their recent Etihad outings and host a Liverpool side who have taken just 12 points from 13 away games this term.
The Reds’ struggles in front of goal on the road, coupled with City’s excellent Etihad form makes a bet on a low-scoring home win appeal at a big price.
Back Manchester City to win and under 2.5 goals, available at 7/2 with LiveScore Bet.
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