Liverpool vs Manchester City
The top two teams in the Premier League for the past two and a half years are preparing to do battle again.
Both sides will be missing key men, both sides will again not be cheered on (or heckled) by fans.
Yet when the clubs with the best two squads in the country have clashed in recent seasons, Premier League highlights have largely been the norm.
That should be no different this time, despite what may well be a surreal atmosphere.
Talking Points
Certainly, in this most unusual of campaigns, the frustrations of one of the managers has been clear in the build-up.
No doubt the fact that Manchester City are currently seven points clear of defending champions Liverpool, with a game in hand, had something to do with comments by Jurgen Klopp earlier today – remarks which his counterpart Pep Guardiola described as disingenuous mind games.
Indeed, so baffled was the City coach that he plans to bring the subject up on Sunday when these two meet on the touchline.
It was an unnecessary barb from the German who, not for the first time this season, has shown an obtuse side to his nature when things are not going as he wishes (he’s far from alone in that, of course).
Klopp had claimed that City had a “two-week break” just over a month ago following a coronavirus outbreak at the club.
Yes, City closed their training ground for two days around the postponement of their Premier League meeting at Everton on December 28 but the Premier League leaders returned to action against Chelsea less than a week later, with six first-team players absent as a result of the outbreak.
Klopp then outlined why he believed fatigue was playing a part in Liverpool’s indifferent form which has undermined their title defence.
While his frustration is understandable given his own side is hampered by major injuries in the centre of defence, he would do well to remember that, unlike their visitors on Sunday, his own side had a much longer pre-season and were able to rest players from late July, unlike City whose last competitive game was in mid- August before they returned to league action little over a month later.
A disappointed Guardiola joked the apparent break was a key factor behind his side’s 13-game winning run in all competitions, which began with victory at Southampton on December 19.
‘I’m surprised, I thought Jurgen was not that type,’ and it will be an interesting dynamic when they meet this weekend.
On the pitch, of course, is where the match will be won and Liverpool will monitor injury doubts Sadio Mane and Fabinho in the hope they are passed fit.
Goalkeeper Alisson, who missed the midweek defeat to Brighton, may also return following illness, while new signing Ozan Kabak is available, though he is unlikely to start so soon after joining on loan.
Guardiola has reported no new injuries, although remains without his two best attacking talents in Sergio Aguero and footballer of the year, Kevin de Bruyne.
So that is the backdrop; now for the football.
History
When they met three months ago it was honours even, on a day when the usually reliable Kevin de Bruyne and City were to rue a missed penalty in a 1-1 draw.
Both last season’s matches were compelling for different reasons – even if only one really mattered.
Liverpool’s 3-1 success at Anfield effectively ended the title race as the Merseysiders opened up a nine-point gap that only increased as the campaign progressed.
In the return fixture, the first since Liverpool were confirmed as champions, City thrashed them 4-0 with a display which was all too lacking when it mattered in 2019/20.
The fixture may not have been pivotal last season but it was in early January during the previous campaign when a goal from now Bayern Munich man Leroy Sane won a thrilling encounter and, ultimately, proving crucial in the outcome of the 2018/19 title race.
In fact, if you include last season’s curtain raiser at Wembley, City have had the edge over Liverpool winning three and drawing two of their last six encounters.
Overall, Liverpool have won 105 of their clashes with 57 City successes and 54 draws. Liverpool also hold a 17-game unbeaten run at Anfield in the Premier League against City, stretching back to 2003 when Nicholas Anelka came back to haunt one of his former teams.
Betting Tip
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Liverpool vs Manchester City | 1X2 Draw @ 3.30 |
| February 8, 00:30 (GMT+8) |
After the midweek results, Man City are very much favourites for many onlookers, as well as with the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds.
Pep Guardiola’s leaders are available to back 1X2 @ 2.15 and Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.25. Liverpool, with problems in the centre of defence, are out @ 3.20 as far as 1X2 odds are concerned and restricted to Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.61.
If there is to be a repeat of last year’s 3-1 win, when it was City who had key absentees in their rearguard, the correct score odds will pay out @ 30.00.
A re-run of their meeting from three months ago – correct score 1-1 – is available @ 6.40.
Although there was a stalemate two seasons ago, goalless draws are rare between these sides and that is reflected in over 3.00 goals which is on offer @ 2.16, total goal 2-3 @ 2.02 and total goals 4-6 @ 3.10.
To me, this has the capacity to be tight and could end in a draw.
| 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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