Premier League
Manchester City vs Liverpool Preview
- Date: Jan. 3, 2019
- Time: 3:00 p.m. (est)
- Network: NBCSN, UNIVERSO
- Location: Manchester, England
- Venue: Etihad Stadium
- Seating Capacity: 55,097
Third-place Manchester City hosts first-place Liverpool in what is expected to be the biggest clash so far this season. Additionally, this becomes the first game for both sides in the 2019 calendar.
City were running rampant at the start of the season while earning convincing wings over Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United. In addition, they were able to overcome many of their weaker opponents. Convincingly enough they drew points at Anfield, something the Blues had not done since 2012.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have picked up the slack and taken off to dreamland. The Reds are undefeated this season, winning 17 of their 20 matches, drawing three other times and accumulating 54 points.
They have kept 12 clean sheets while averaging 2.4 goals per game.
Nonetheless, the outcome of this game will mark who ends up winning the league come the spring. However, Liverpool will likely continue to be on the driver’s seat despite an obstacle at Etihad.
Team News
City boss Pep Guardiola will be able to count with the services of Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane who were given the green light. However, Keving De Bruyne will be a game time decision following recovering from a long-term keen injury. In addition, Fernandinho is also expected to play despite being involved in a red-card challenge against Southampton.
Meanwhile, the Reds boss Jürgen Klopp will be without Joël Matip and Joe Gomez who remain indisposed with injuries. However, James Milner remains doubtful and game time decision for Klopp.
Potential Lineups
Manchester City XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte; Danilo; B. Silva, Fernandinho, D. Silva; Sterling, Aguero, Sane.
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Prediction
City have a huge opportunity at home to put themselves in prime position to put an end to the Red’s unbeaten run. However, Liverpool have Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane who all are coming off a magnificent scoring run against Arsenal.
Though the task is difficult to accomplish, should the Citizens show more ambition, they may be able to make up some ground. After all, they have scored 21 goals in the last five league games, something that Klopp’s men know and will be cautious of.
Liverpool’s firepower will be difficult to stop and may give them enough to win the game, but should Sergio Aguero be on his game, City may have an opportunity.
Manchester City 2 – 2 Liverpool
Photo credit to soikeo .info via Flickr
