Two of the Premier League’s toughest challengers go head-to-head in the biggest blockbuster of the campaign when Manchester City host Liverpool this weekend.
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The pair have won the last three league titles between them and know that this fixture will hold major ramifications on where the title could be heading in May. Leagues are certainly not won in November, but they can be lost in this period. With this tie coming before the international break, let’s hope both sides can give the perfect send-off as the most important fixture of the season kicks off this Sunday at 18h30.
English Premier League
Sunday 8 November – 18:30
Etihad Stadium
To Win Match
Manchester City 19/20 | Draw 3/1 | Liverpool 49/20
Manchester City
Manchester City will be looking to make a marker on the league this campaign and stamp their authority when they gear up to host the champions, Liverpool. After a slow start, Manchester City look to be finding their rhythm slowly.
Pep Guardiola’s side are currently unbeaten in four matches in the league, with plenty of key players starting to return from injury. The big news will be whether Gabriel Jesus makes it in time to be fit for this clash with Sergio Aguero likely to return after the international break.
With a focal point, Guardiola will be afforded to stretch the game in wider areas, getting the best out of the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling, who will yet again fancy scoring against his former employers.
In Manchester City’s last outing against Liverpool, Guardiola’s side won 4-0 during Project Restart, which came after the Reds had already won the league. Sterling famously said after the game that this season started that day and that Man City will look to reclaim their title this term.
Kevin De Bruyne also got on the scoresheet that day and will be looking to pick up where he left off before his injury and fire City one step closer to bridging the gap on Liverpool.
As fierce as the Sky Blues have looked in attack, defensively, there’s been major improvement. The 23-year-old Portuguese defender has been a revelation to the City team and alongside Aymeric Laporte, Guardiola boasts arguably the best centre-back pairing in England.
There’s no doubt that Guardiola has the option to hurt Liverpool, it’s just about finding the perfect balance and cooking up the right formula to outsmart Jurgen Klopp once again.
Liverpool
All eyes will be on Liverpool as they look to silence their doubters who believe that the club will struggle during the absence of Virgil van Dijk.
For sure, that’s a huge blow considering van Dijk is the league’s best defender, while many regard him as the best centre-back in the world as well. This will be Liverpool’s first big match in the league without him.
You can get away without him at home against Sheffield United and West Ham, but away to Manchester City will be the big test. His ideal replacement, Fabinho, who filled in that position against Chelsea and Ajax, where the Reds kept clean sheets, is also sidelined due to injury.
Now, Klopp will be forced to rush back Joel Matip, who looks set to partner Joe Gomez in the heart of defence. With Fabinho out, Liverpool are also short in numbers centrally in midfield, although star-signing, Thiago Alcantara, and Naby Keita could make their comeback.
The Reds are currently winless in their last two away games in the Premier League, drawing at Everton, which came after they were famously hammered 7-2 by Aston Villa.
As shaky and leaky as their spine may look at the moment, Klopp still has his favoured front three to choose from with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane already on 11 goals between them, while Roberto Firmino holds the key to put the jigsaw pieces together upfront.
As favoured as they may be by Klopp, the pressure will be on them to perform, especially with Diogo Jota knocking on the door for a crack in the starting line-up. The Portuguese forward already has three goals and has proven to be vital off the bench. Personally, I’d go as far as saying he’s one of the signings of the season.
Verdict: Manchester City (19/20)
This will probably be one of the weakest Liverpool teams that Manchester City get to face since Pep Guardiola’s arrival at the club. The Reds are without arguably their most important player, they haven’t looked good, and are simply there for the taking. Manchester City’s weakness has always been their defence whenever they’ve come up against Liverpool, and with that now rectified, City should come out on top.
Written by Jesse Nagel for Hollywoodbets.
