Biggest game of the BPL season so far, it’s a match between two top contenders and two clubs who are tied at the top in the league. It’s Liverpool against Manchester City at Anfield! Liverpool have had great success against City last season, but this is a new season and City will be eager to avenge their Champions League elimination as they will look to put a dent in Liverpool’s title chase. This is a huge chance for both sides to gain an edge in the title race.
Key Facts
Liverpool have kept 3 clean sheets in 3 home matches in the Premier League this season. However they did let PSG and Chelsea score 2 each in other two competitions at Anfield this season
Liverpool have not lost to Manchester City at Anfield since May 2003. They’re unbeaten in 17 straight at home against City since in all competitions.
Liverpool faced Man City 4 times last season winning 3 times in all competitions. They won their home games 4-3 and 3-0.
All 4 meetings between these clubs last season had over 2.5 goals.
Liverpool are currently winless in 3 straight matches in all comps. Loss to Chelsea, Draw with Chelsea and loss to Napoli.
All 3 of Mane, Salah and Firmino have a goal drought of 3 or more games.
Liverpool are unbeaten in 24 straight premier league home games. 16W 8D.
Liverpool and Man City have tied best defensive records in the league conceding 3 goals each.
Manchester City are the highest scoring team in the league with 21.
Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling are City’s most dangerous scorers in the league with 5 and 4 goals respectively.
Sergio Aguero has never scored at Anfield in his 9 visits here.
Man City have won 20 of their last 25 away league games, losing 1 that being at Anfield last season.
Man City have kept 3 straight clean sheets in the league.
Team News
Liverpool: Liverpool have one bit of injury news with Naby Keita coming off with an injury against Napoli and is listed as a doubt for the match against Man City. If he doesn’t play then it’s pretty certain that Jordan Henderson will start in the midfield alongside Milner and Wijnaldum. Elsewhere we shouldn’t expect any changes in the Liverpool line-up, Klopp should put out the strongest possible team with Salah in it despite his poor form this season. Expect the usual back 4 and the usual front 3 here. We’ll probably see the same team as the one that was used against Chelsea last week.
Manchester City: Man City have been hit with some good and bad news too. First with the bad, Delph is injured and Gundogan is a massive doubt to feature. However, Kevin de Bruyne has a chance to feature in the match as he returned to training, but we shouldn’t expect it to be anything more than a 10-20 minute cameo off the bench considering he missed 2 months. Also, Mendy is back in contention to start and that’s someone who City need desperately back with backup LB Delph out. We saw Otamendi start at LB against Hoffenheim, so worst case scenario he may have to do that again, or youngster Zinchenko could slot in there. Backup GK Bravo is still out. Otherwise there are no injuries to report, expect Pep to field a very strong 11 with Aguero, Sterling, Sane up front as he’s been doing so in recent matches and Bernardo Silva is expected to return over Gundogan in midfield.
Betting Tips and Predictions
With so much attacking talent, many expect goals but not so fast. These teams are also now the two best defences in the league and we could be in for a tactical battle. Liverpool games haven’t been quite as entertaining as last season and that’s because their front trio haven’t hit their best form yet, they’ve been wasteful at times and it’s cost them. Man City themselves have been scoring for fun against the likes of Cardiff and Huddersfield, but then again coming to Anfield it won’t be quite straight forward. Over 2.5 goals is only priced at 1.57 so there isn’t much value and we won’t risk the 3.5 given how big this game is. In this match we’ll back a Draw at 3.55. Liverpool won’t lose at Anfield, but their recent stretch has taken such a toll on them having to play Spurs, Chelsea x2, PSG, Napoli to the point where it’s hard to expect them to win this match. Man City themselves would surely not mind a point here. We’re looking at a 1-1 draw here at Anfield.
Match Odds (TonyBet)
Liverpool Win – 2.50
Draw – 3.55
Manchester City Win – 2.85
KICK OFF – 7th October 2018 – 4:30pm UK Time
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