Manchester City vs Liverpool Betting Preview

Date & Time: Sunday, March 19, 4:30 PM GMT

Venue: Etihad Stadium (Manchester)

Head to head record

Liverpool vs Manchester City 1-0 (2016/2017 Premier League)
Liverpool vs Manchester City 3-0 (2015/2016 Premier League)
Liverpool vs Manchester City 1-1 (2015/2016 League Cup)
Manchester City vs Liverpool 1-4 (2015/2016 Premier League)
Liverpool vs Manchester City 2-1 (2014/2015 Premier League)

Manchester City vs Liverpool prediction

Sunday’s game at Etihad Stadium pits together two top four teams Manchester City and Liverpool. The Citizens aim to bounce back from a heartbreaking Champions League defeat to Monaco, but beating the in-form Reds is easier said than done.

Champions League dream over

Thanks to a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough at Riverside Stadium Manchester City set up a meeting with Arsenal in the FA Cup semis, but they failed to eliminate Monaco in the Champions League last 16. Pep Guardiola’s men experienced all sorts of problems at the back in a 3-1 loss to the Ligue 1 outfit on Wednesday evening and, no doubt, the former Barca coach feels pressure ahead of Sunday’s Premier League derby against Liverpool. The Citizens occupy third place in the standings and the team’s main goal is to finish the season in top four. A win over Jurgen Klopp’s team would see Man City regain a much-needed confidence and I am positive that the hosts will stick to their attacking style of play. Kun Aguero failed to impress in the loss to Monaco, but the Argentine striker is widely expected to lead the line for the hosts against Liverpool.

Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus are both sidelined with injury, but centre-back Vincent Kompany is fit and he could play some part in Sunday’s clash against Liverpool. Fellow defender Nicolas Otamendi is pushing for a start as well.

Back-to-back wins

Liverpool quickly recovered from a 3-1 loss to Craig Shakespeare’s Leicester City. Following a 3-1 win over Arsenal the Reds came from behind to beat Burnley in their last league match and thanks to the back-to-back victories the team cemented their spot in top four. Jurgen Klopp is eager to help Liverpool book their place in the Champions League and seeing that the Reds will be fully focused on the national championship in the remainder of the season, there is every chance the Anfield outfit will represent England in the elite competition next term. However, the German tactician must warn his men against complacency and, no doubt, Liverpool face an uphill task in Sunday’s showdown against Manchester City. Sadio Mane failed to find the net in the 2-1 win over Burnley, but the opposition defenders are likely to have their work cut out for them when facing the Senegal international. You should bear in mind that the Reds are after their seventh away win of the season.

The likes of Danny Ings, Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson are all out of contention through injury, but Firmino should recover in time to face Manchester City at Etihad Stadium.

Interesting facts

• Liverpool are on a four-game winless run on the road
• Man City have suffered only one loss at home this season (EPL)
• Reds are undefeated in previous four meetings with Man City in the EPL
• Kun Aguero has netted 12 goals in 21 appearances in the league this season
• Over 2.5 goals were scored in each of Liverpool’s last three league games

Manchester City vs Liverpool betting pick

Both Manchester City and Liverpool are likely to go for a win in Sunday’s Premier League derby and a lively contest appears on the cards. Both Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp can count on key players for the Etihad Stadium clash and, taking everything into account, over 2.5 goals bet should be considered.

Pick: Over 2.5 goals

Odds: 2/3