Manchester City Host Liverpool In A Clash Of Premier League Giants
This weekend sees a massive clash in the Premier League title race, where defeat for either team could deal a decisive blow in their hopes of reeling in Arsenal at the top of the table. Manchester City host Liverpool at the Etihad in a match which has huge significance for both teams title aspirations.
Just a point separates the two in the league table after ten games, but both trail Arsenal by six and seven points respectively. An Arsenal win, combined with a defeat for either of these teams, would leave them looking at a nine or ten point deficit to the leaders.
When these teams have met in recent seasons, it has generally been a battle between the top two battling for the title. So this game may have a new context for both as they trail the Gunners in the table at present. That said, it will be no less exciting or dramatic, as all games are when the Citizens and Reds meet in the Premier League.
Current Form – Manchester City
Manchester City have won five, drawn one and lost one of their last seven games in the Premier League. Their sole defeat came in a 1-0 away loss to Aston Villa a couple of weeks back. They have since bounced back with a 3-1 win over Bournemouth at the Etihad on Sunday.
Ahead of Sunderland’s game with Everton on Monday Night, City lie second in the table with 18 points from 10 matches.
Erling Haaland has certainly been the man in form for the Citizens. The big Norwegian has netted an astonishing 13 goals in just 10 Premier League games this season, and 26 in all competitions for club and country.
Rodri made the bench for the game with Bournemouth last weekend, which is good news for City ahead of what will likely be a high-stakes encounter at the Etihad this weekend.
Probable Manchester City XI – (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunez, O’Reilly, Gvardiol, Diaz; Rodri, Silva; Foden, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.
Current Form – Liverpool
A dismal run of six defeats in seven games, four of those in the Premier League, came to an end for Arne Slot’s team at the weekend when they earned a much more impressive 2-0 win over Aston Villa. A rare clean sheet was the highlight for the Reds as well as goals from Mo Salah and Ryan Gravenberch, the latter scoring his 250th goal for the club.
Even so, the Reds come into this game with just one win in their last five Premier League matches, Their away form is particularly worrying as they have lost all of their last three away games in the league at Crystal Palace (3-2), Chelsea (2-1) and Brentford (3-2).
Dominik Szoboszlai has been the star man for Liverpool this season, playing either in midfield or at right back, while Ryan Gravenberch has also been impressive in an anchoring midfield role. He was sorely missed when he sat out a few of those recent defeats through injury.
It remains to be seen whether Alexander Isak or Florian Wirtz make the team for this game with Isak still not fully fit after an injury and Wirtz still struggling for form in the Premier League.
Probable Liverpool XI – (4-3-3): Mamardashvili; Bradley, Robertson, Konate, Van Dijk; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike.
Match Prediction
It remains to be seen whether Liverpool’s win over Aston Villa was a return to form, or an exception to recent poor performances. Man City have been excellent at home since losing to Spurs and in Erling Haaland have the outstanding performer in the Premier League right now.
Liverpool’s back line has looked very shaky in recent times and as such it makes sense to back Manchester City to win this game, but for both teams to score in the match too.
Tip – Man City to win and BTTS – 21/10 at bet365 Sport.
Manchester City vs Liverpool kicks off at 4.30pm on Sunday 9th November at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester and will be shown live on Sky Sports.
