The English Premier League is all set to feature a high-voltage match on Super Sunday as defending champions Manchester City will take on Liverpool tomorrow at Etihad Stadium. For the last few years, Liverpool and Machester City have become the two rivals for the league title.
However, this season has been difficult for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, and they are already out of the title race. Man City have also been eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by losing both legs against Real Madrid. The pressure is now rising on Pep Guardiola, but the manager is still calm about his job and confident to make a comeback. Pep said, “I’m going to make an incredible, huge compliment for my Chairman. The first season and this season was tough, but I never felt them closer to me.
“I’m still here not sacked because what happened in the recent past has been extraordinary and especially because of the type of Chairman, CEO, and Sporting Director that we have,” stated Pep Guardiola.
However, Liverpool are the strongest side to win the league this season, having 17 points ahead of Manchester City and 8 points clear of Arsenal, the second-placed in the league table. Will Liverpool extend their lead at the top, or can Pep Guardiola’s side close the gap and keep their title hopes alive?
Stats & Facts
- Manchester City have not lost a Premier League game at Etihad against Liverpool under Pep Guardiola.
- In fact, Liverpool won only one of their last 15 away league matches against Man City – winning in 2015 when Pellegrini was the manager of Man City.
- Liverpool have already defeated Man City this season at Anfield. A win over the Citizens would see them completing the league double for the third time in the league history.
- Although Man City have a difficult time in the league, only Liverpool and Arsenal earned more points than Man City after Christmas.
- Liverpool have not lost any of their last 13 league games played on Sunday.
Team News
City’s goal machine Erling Haaland missed the crucial match against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League due to his injury. It is still uncertain whether he can play tomorrow against Liverpool. “Don’t know yet. Tomorrow we will know,” Pep Guardiola said in Friday’s press conference about Haaland.
Guardiola will also miss the service of John Stones due to his thigh injury, while Rodri, Manuel Akanji, and Oscar Bobb remain out of the squad due to the same issue.
As for Liverpool, Cody Gakpo missed Liverpool’s last two games due to an injury. But he recovered and has a chance to play against Man City tomorrow. Diogo Jota is likely to start in the front instead of Darwin Nunez, but Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, and Tyler Morton will miss the match due to injuries.
Possible Lineup for Man City:
Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Gonzalez, Kovacic; Foden, Marmoush, Savinho; Haaland.
Possible Lineup for Liverpool:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota.
Prediction: Man City 2-2 Liverpool
Pep Guardiola is trying his best to get back in the form. Apart from the matches against Real Madrid in the Champions League, the Citizens showed decent performance in the league. And as the home side, they will be a great threat to Liverpool, who won only one of their last four matches across all competitions. Therefore, we expect a draw between the two sides at Etihad Stadium.
Betfair Odds
Man City: 3.03
Draw: 3.95
Liverpool: 2.25
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