Match Preview: Manchester City vs Liverpool

Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City face arguably one of their trickiest fixtures of the season, as Liverpool pay a visit to the Etihad. Liverpool, who have blown hot and cold all season, drew 2-2 with City in the reverse fixture at Anfield early on in the season, a match they dominated, only to lose two points thanks to a Martin Skrtel howler. The game was famous for being Raheem Sterling’s breakout game in the Premier League, as the then unproven diminutive 17-year old winger gave the physically imposing Kolo Toure a nightmarish time.

City, who have kept four consecutive clean sheets, beat Liverpool 3-0 in the corresponding fixture last season, and will be looking to cut the 10-point gap between them and United. They also fell further off the pace in mid-week, when they drew 0-0 at QPR of all places. Now without the ever controversial Mario Balotelli, City will look to beat a Liverpool side who have not beaten a side from the top 10 this season.

Team News:

Manchester City

Major absentees are Yaya Toure and inspirational skipper Vincent Kompany. Toure is away on AFCON duty, while Kompany is suffering from a calf injury and is expected to be out for three weeks. Kolo Youre is also away on AFCON duty and right-back Micah Richards is also expected to miss out, nursing a knee injury.

Mataja Nasatsic will start in centre-back in place of Kompany, but his fitness also remains an issue, and could only start from the subs’ bench against QPR. That would mean that Javi Garcia will drop in at centre-back again, something that could work in Liverpool’s favour.

Liverpool

Pepe Reina, Jose Enrique and Glen Johnson all returned in the tumultuous 2-2 draw at Arsenal in mid-week and are expected to regain their places in the starting line-up. Andre Wisdom could drop to the bench, but the manager could very well spring a surprise and start him. Martin Kelly is still the only long-term absentee for Liverpool, who otherwise have a fully fit squad for the daunting trip.

Jordan Henderson will continue in midfield, after having an excellent game against Arsenal. Joe Allen would remain on the bench, despite putting up his best performance of the season against City last time out. New signing Phillpe Coutinho could feature from the bench.

Formation and Line-Up:

Manchester City (4-2-3-1):

Hart

Zabaleta – Lescott – Nasatasic – Clichy

Barry – Garcia

Nasri – Tevez – Silva

Aguero

Liverpool (4-2-3-1):

Reina

Johnson – Agger – Skrtel – Enrique

Henderson – Lucas

Sterling – Gerrard – Suarez

Sturridge

Form Guide:

Manchester City

City’s defence has been excellent all season long, having let in only 19 goals, the closest challengers being Chelsea, who have conceded 27. Since losing to United in December, City have kept six clean sheets in all competitions at the Etihad Stadium. City have been in decent form as of late, slowly trying to cut a rampant United’s deficit at the top. Dropping two points in mid-week, in a game that they dominated, was a huge blow for City, who now sit 10 points behind their illustrious rivals.

The offense has been largely ineffective this season, compared to the brilliance of last season. City have scored only 45 goals, compared to United’s 59, and only Edin Dzeko has scored 10 or more goals in league play. City do have plenty of fire-power, and with the likes of Aguero and Silva, they’ll fancy their chances against a Liverpool side with terrible away form.

Liverpool

Employing a counter-attacking strategy against Arsenal for the first time this season, the Reds swung both ways during the match, which ultimately ended in a draw. Barring the shocking defeat to Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup, the Reds have blown past inferior opposition, yet their record against top sides has been horrendous, losing twice to United, once to Arsenal and once to Tottenham.

It’s either been a case of being unable to close out games, like the games against City and Tottenham, or poor tactics from Rodgers, like Arsenal at Anfield and at United. The Reds do have the arsenal and talent to finish in the Top 4 and a win against City would be a massive boost for Rodgers’ men, but a terrible result for the Citizens.

Interesting Facts:

- Liverpool have won only one of their last eight Premier League meetings against City, losing twice and recording five draws.

- City have claimed 103 points from the last 114 possible at home. Talk about a fortress! Additionally, the Reds have failed to score in the last three league games at City.

- Liverpool won 1-0 at City in the Carling Cup last season, their only home defeat in English football in the season.

- The Reds have scored in their last eleven league games, their best run since May 2011.

- Tevez hasn’t scored in his last eight league games.

Prediction:

This will be a pretty evenly matched game, and look for a terrific midfield battle, although City will miss the bite of Toure in midfield. Despite City’s home form, the Reds will be eager to prove themselves and it will be a hard fought match.

Prediciton: Manchester City 2-2 Liverpool