Man City vs Liverpool Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups, Key Man & Predicted Score

Manchester City entertain Liverpool in a top-of-the-table clash at the Etihad Stadium on Boxing Day.

The Reds are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League at Christmas for the first time in five years but could find themselves as low as fourth by the time kick-off comes around on Thursday if Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton all pick up three points earlier in the day.

Brendan Rodgers men are firing on all cylinders in recent weeks with a comfortable 3-1 win over Cardiff on Saturday coming after a 5-0 thrashing of Spurs at White Hart Lane the week before, so the Merseysiders should be full of confidence heading into the game.

However, Liverpool will face a City side who have a formidable record at home this season having won all 8 of their fixtures at the Etihad so far including big wins over Arsenal, Tottenham, Man Utd and Newcastle, and Manuel Pellegrini’s side will leapfrog the visitors if they can make it 9 in a row tomorrow.

Team News

Joe Hart is expected to retain his place in goal having returned to the side to make his first league start in two months during last weeks 4-2 win over Fulham.

Pablo Zabaleta and Micah Richards remain out injured so Gael Clichy could continue at right back with Aleksandar Kolarov on the left.

Sergio Aguero continues to miss out with a calf injury so Edin Dzeko should partner Alvaro Negredo up front. Stevan Jovetic may return having been struck down with flu at the weekend but Matija Nastasic is out with a calf problem.

Liverpool are sweating on the fitness of defender Jon Flanagan after he was forced off against Cardiff with a hamstring problem. The youngster will have a late fitness test but Kelly is on stand-by if he fails to make it.

Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge and Jose Enrique all remain sidelined and they join Seb Coates on the treatment table. Rodgers may have to draft in some youngsters as he only has 17 fit senior players available.

Likely Line-Ups

Key Man

Luis Suarez: Who else? The Uruguayan is in red-hot form and he will no doubt be the Man City will have to keep quiet if they want to win the game.

Predicted Score

Man City 3-1 Liverpool: City are formidable at home and although we can see Liverpool giving them some problems, the Eastlander’s should have too much firepower.

What team would you like to see start and what’s your predicted score? Share your views below.