Big Match Breakdown: Liverpool v Manchester City
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Can the Reds end City’s unbeaten run?
Manchester City look almost certain to win the Premier League title, but can they go the rest of the campaign without defeat?
City are now 30 top-flight games without defeat, a run that’s given them a 15-point lead at the top of the table.
But Sunday’s trip to Liverpool could be the toughest league game they’ve got left to play.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are fourth and can’t afford to lose ground in the race for a Champions League spot.
It’s set up for a great game and the Coral News Team have all the pre-match info…
Head to Head
City ran out 5-0 winners when these two sides met at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season. But Liverpool played with 10 men for almost an hour following Sadio Mane’s first-half red card.
Other than that game, the Reds have had the better of City in recent years. They hadn’t lost any of the previous six games against City, winning three of those.
Likely XIs
Even without Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool will still pose a huge threat going forward with Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Mane.
Virgil van Dijk should make his first league start for Liverpool here but Jordan Henderson is still out. James Milner is likely to start in central midfield against his former club as a result.
For City, Fabian Delph is expected to return at left-back. Pep Guardiola’s side will be close to full strength otherwise, with Vincent Kompany and Gabriel Jesus the only major absentees.
Key Battles
Delph has done very well in an unfamiliar role on the left side of defence this season. But he’s still arguably the weak link in the City side. He could struggle against a player of Salah’s quality.
This match will also be a big test of Van Dijk. He looked imperious in the air on his debut against Everton. But this will be a very different challenge.
City’s players will move and pass the ball around quickly to try and disrupt the Reds’ shape. Can Van Dijk organise the backline to hold them at bay?
Match Odds
City are unsurprisingly 5/4 favourites but there’s value in Liverpool to win at 2/1. The draw is 27/10.
The league leaders haven’t been as breathtaking as they were earlier in the season in recent weeks. And while they had to play a Carabao Cup semi-final in midweek, Liverpool have had a full week to prepare.
Liverpool have a superb home record too. They’ve not been beaten at Anfield yet this term and have conceded just four goals in their last 11 games there.
Taking all of that into account, Liverpool or Draw looks tempting in the Double Chance market at 4/6.
Salah will be key to Liverpool’s hopes. He’s 5/1 to continue his impressive scoring form by scoring first.
While City may have a poor record against Liverpool over the last few years, Sergio Aguero has scored in three of the last five league meetings. The Argentine is 7/2 to open the scoring.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
