Liverpool vs Manchester City
They have been the top two sides in England both this season and last, producing Premier League highlights on an almost weekly basis.
Now they meet in a crucial meeting.
Liverpool’s six-point lead at the Premier League summit means they don’t have to win, whilst at this early stage, it’s surely imperative for Manchester City that they don’t lose.
So, it’s clear advantage for the challengers over the champions as we head to Anfield.
Titles are not won in November but they can be lost.
Talking Points
It is in the team news stakes as well.
While Liverpool are virtually at full strength, City have a number of absentees.
Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo will make his first Premier League appearance in 18 months after Ederson was ruled out. A thigh injury forced the number one off at half-time in the midweek Champions League draw at Atalanta.
Captain David Silva also looks unlikely to play due to a muscular injury of his own and there are also doubts over Rodri (hamstring). Oleksandr Zinchenko, while Sane and Aymeric Laporte remain sidelined long-term.
While Pep Guardiola tries to overcome major losses in key areas, Jurgen Klopp must know his side has a fabulous chance this term to end the club’s long search for a league title.
Quite rightly there is a reluctance to accept this fixture as the biggest in English football, yet it is growing in stature with every passing day.
The Reds have gone 45 home matches without defeat, the second-longest unbeaten run in Premier League history.
City have won 11 of their past 12 Premier League away games, scoring 30 goals during that period.
All in all then, something may give this weekend. Whatever occurs, the impact on 2019/2020 could likely be pivotal.
History
Liverpool have gone 16 top-flight games unbeaten against City at Anfield, with their solitary home defeat in the past 28 meetings coming in May 2003.
Yet City are the champions and have only lost one of the last five Premier League meetings with the Merseysiders.
Both last season’s matches were compelling for different reasons.
A late missed Riyad Mahrez penalty meant City had to settle for a point at Anfield but they made amends in the return fixture in the New Year – a Leroy Sane goal winning a thrilling encounter and ultimately proving crucial in the outcome of the title race.
In fact, if you include this season’s curtain-raiser at Wembley, City have had the edge over Liverpool winning two and drawing one of their last three encounters.
Yet at Anfield, Liverpool have largely enjoyed the visit of the champions in recent years.
In 2017/18, they won arguably the game of the season.
Liverpool capitalised on poor defending to score three times in a rousing eight-minute spell before just managing to hold off a late City comeback in a 4-3 victory.
There was no chance of a comeback when they next met as Liverpool produced a first-half masterclass in attack and a solid second half in defence to defeat City 3-0 in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.
If Sane had not seen a goal incorrectly disallowed in the second leg — which would have given City a two-goal half-time advantage — we may have witnessed one of Europe’s greatest fightbacks.
As it was, City lost their composure then Guardiola was sent-off and Liverpool gained momentum and went onto complete a double over their opponents in a 5-1 aggregate win.
Betting Tip
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Liverpool vs Manchester City | 1X2 Liverpool @ 2.57 |
| November 11, 00:30 (GMT+8) |
Based on that, how the next instalment may go is anyone’s guess.
Liverpool are slight favourites with SBOBET’s Premier League betting odds but it’s mighty close.
1X2 odds price the Merseysiders @ 2.57 and City @ 2.69 with the draw, often a favoured predicted result in big clashes, available @ 3.25.
And if either side is to be leading at the break, the odds are identical with First Half 1X2 @ 3.15 for both clubs.
With Asian Handicap odds it’s also as close as it gets: Liverpool -0.25 @ 2.26 and City -0.25 @ 2.31.
Goals are expected, hardly a surprise given the attacking talent on show, which is why there’s fairly low odds on over 3.00 goals @ 2.08, total goal 2-3 @ 2.00 and total goal 4-6 @ 2.80.
A repeat of last season’s goalless draw – correct score 0-0 – is on offer @ 15.00.
Given Liverpool’s determination to win a prize which has been so elusive to them, and given City’s absentees, I think the home side will edge this.
| A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR () BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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