It’s back to club football this weekend after the International break and the standout fixture in the Premier League is undoubtedly the clash between Manchester City and Liverpool. Here’s a preview of the big game.
The Premier League returns this weekend after the international break and is back with a bang on Saturday evening as Manchester City and Liverpool face off in a heavyweight clash. Most bookmaker promos are geared towards this game for this weekend, with some expecting an underdog victory to upset the pecking order in the league.
Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping his stars who flew all over the world this past week will be fresh to return to goalscoring ways after two below-par performances before the international break.
The City boss may however be without two stars – Sergio Aguero and David Silva don’t look like being fit to make their return to face Liverpool, whilst backup striker Wilfried Bony is also a doubt.
Jurgen Klopp had been making a good start as Liverpool manager before their surprise defeat at home to Crystal Palace a fortnight ago. The German manager will now be looking to pick up a morale-boosting result at the Etihad.
Manchester City team news
Sergio Aguero is very unlikely to be back in action this weekend. His international colleagues picked up four points from their two 2018 World Cup qualifiers this past week – can his club teammates keep their form up in the Premier League without him?
His replacement, Wilfried Bony, is a slight doubt having picked up an injury in the 0-0 draw at Aston Villa last time out.
David Silva has missed the past four games and has only made five Premier League appearances in all this season. The Spanish playmaker is also unlikely to make his return for this one.
Fellow attacking midfield Samir Nasri has been ruled out through injury, whilst summer signing Fabian Delph is another doubt.
In defence, right-back Pablo Zabaleta is out but captain Vincent Kompany should shake off a calf injury to feature.
Liverpool team news
The big news for the visitors is that Daniel Sturridge could return to face his former club on Saturday. Sturridge isn’t likely to start, but could make the bench. Christian Benteke and Divock Origi are available to Klopp in attack.
Jordan Henderson remains sidelined. James Milner is a doubt, as is another English midfielder, Jordon Ibe.
Dejan Lovren will play alongside Martin Skrtel as Mamadou Sakho is sidelined with a knee injury.
If you’re going to bet on the game, it’s worth keeping in mind that Klopp’s tactics are ideally suited to upsetting bigger, better sides away from home. bet-at-home’s free bet offer is one of several you can take up to put money on Liverpool causing an upset on Saturday, although a draw may be a more likelier outcome.
Manchester City vs Liverpool possible starting line-ups
Manchester City: Joe Hart; Bacary Sagna, Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Otamendi, Aleksandar Kolarov; Fernando, Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne, Yaya Toure, Raheem Sterling; Wilfried Bony
Liverpool: Simon Mignolet; Nathaniel Clyne, Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren, Alberto Moreno; Lucas, Emre Can, James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho; Christian Benteke
Manchester City vs Liverpool: Key Stats
14 – The two goalkeepers with the most Premier League clean sheets in 2015 will go head-to-head this weekend; Joe Hart has kept 14 and Simon Mignolet 13.
28 – Liverpool will face the sternest defence this weekend as Manchester City have allowed a league-low 28 shots on target prior to this weekend.
83 – Simon Mignolet could be busy as Manchester City have fired in a league-high 83 shots on target in the Premier League heading into the weekend.
Prediction: Manchester City 1-1 Liverpool
