Man City vs Liverpool Preview, Team News, Line-ups, Betting Tips & Prediction

Both sides will be looking to make an early statement in the Premier League title race when Manchester City welcome Liverpool to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

City have enjoyed a solid start to the season having picked up seven points from their opening three games so far and sealed a dramatic last gasp 2-1 win at Bournemouth before the international break.

Pep Guardiola’s side haven’t hit their full stride yet and there is plenty more to come from his talented squad so no doubt the City boss will be hoping to put in an impressive display tomorrow.

Liverpool head to the Etihad sitting second in the table after also collecting seven points so far but the Reds really put a marker down after demolishing Arsenal 4-0 at Anfield last time out.

Another similar performance tomorrow will provide City with a real test but I suspect the Citizens will cause Liverpool a few more problems than the Gunners did two weeks ago.

Team news

City will be without skipper Vincent Kompany as he picked up a calf injury while away with the Belgian squad earlier this week so John Stones is set to come in to the back four.

Kyle Walker returns from suspension but Raheem Sterling will miss the chance to play against his former club after being sent off during the closing stages against Bournemouth.

Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is back in contention having returning to full training following a long-term knee injury.

Liverpool will continue to be without Philippe Coutinho as Klopp has decided not to include the attacker in the squad despite the fact he played for Brazil during the international break.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is pushing to make his debut after securing a deadline day move from Arsenal but Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne remain on the sidelines.

Likely Line-Ups

Predicted Score

Man City 2-1 Liverpool: City have lost just one of their last eight home league matches against Liverpool but Klopp has a formidable record against the top sides so I’m expecting a closely-fought contest. Both sides boast a wealth of attacking talent so we should see an entertaining game but I fancy City to edge it.

Betting Tips

Man City are the 17/20 favourites with the bookmakers but we can get new customers enhanced odds of 25/1 on the hosts and 50/1 on the Reds – just click here to take advantage of these crazy odds [winning paid in free bets, max stake £1, T&C’s apply].

However, here are some other bets I like the look of:

• Both teams to score at: 1/2 – a £10 bet would return £15
• Exact score of 2-1 City win at: 15/2 – a £10 bet would return £85
• Jesus to score in a 2-1 City win: 14/1 – a £10 bet would return £150