Manchester City vs Liverpool - Match preview

It will be a perfect opportunity for Manchester City to take the front seat for the title race as they get ready to host the high flying Liverpool at the Etihad Stdium this Thursday night. Both teams have been flying on confidence as they both have had some brilliant wins under their belts and they both have some inform players like Suarez and Yaya Toure.

Team News

Manchester City will miss the services of ‘Mr. Dependable’ Sergio Aguero as he picked up a calf injury against Arsenal on 14th December. We cannot predict about how much will City have to pay for his absence ,but we can be certain that City has the bench strength to deal with these situations as Edin Dzeko showed some class in the 4-2 victory at Fulham with Negredo giving support . City won at Fulham this weekend without Aguero and that though with a good margin of 2 goals. Manchester City will also miss their young defender Matija Nastasic who had picked up a calf injury as well , but Martin Demichelles has looked more than convincing for his £5 Million tranfer fee. Demichelles and Kompany have paired up well to restrict the opposition to move freely in and around the box. Pablo Zabaleta and Micah Richards will be out with Hamstring as well which may put Manuel Pellegrini into some problems for his defense line.

Liverpool on the other side are also without there key players like Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard. Daniel Sturridge paired up well with Luis Suarez making them one of the deadliest forward partners in the current season. Steven Gerrard will be missed for his accuracy and his experience going into such an important match. Luis Suarez is expected to wear the armband yet again for this encounter.

Key Battle

Luis Suarez Vs Vincent Kompany

This is a battle that probably all fans want to see . Luis Suarez has been unstoppable this season as he has scored a ma-mad 19 goals in the EPL so far making him the leading goal scorer by a margin of 6 goals to Sergio Aguero. The responsibility to stop him will be on ‘Çaptain fantastic’ as he will have to cramp Suarez for room to play freely and dangerously. Suarez will be supported by young guns Raheem Steerling and Phillip Coutinho as well. A simple formula will have to be applied- “If you let a tiger free, you will be the first one to be eaten”. Kompany and Demichelles have looked excellent so far and they are expected to have some arrangements done to stop Luis Suarez especially with the absence od Daniel Sturridge.

Verdict

Looking at the current form and stats, Manchester City should take this game away with a 3-1 margin. Manchester City’s midfield should take toll on a rather inexperienced Liverpool defense . Luis Suarez will be silenced to some extent with Yaya Toure and Fernandinho at central defense and Kompany and Demichelles at centre-back. City’s midfield is expected to perform well and guide the blues to victory.

Expected Line-ups

Manchester City (4-4-2)-

Coastel Pantlliomon , Gael Clichy , Vincent Kompmay , Martin Demichelles , Alexander Kolarov , Yaya Toure , Luis Fernandinho , Samir Nasri , David Silva , Edin Dzeko , Alvaro Negredo

Liverpool (4-3-3):

Mignolet; Johnson, Sakho, Skrtel, Flanagan; Allen, Lucas, Henderson; Coutinho, Suárez, Sterling.