Prediction: Manchester City vs Liverpool

Verdict: Liverpool not to Lose

Best Odds: 9/5

Bookmaker: 888sport

Manchester City face an uphill battle against Liverpool in their efforts to reach the Champions League semi-finals and to bounce back from back-to-back setbacks which are marring the close-to-perfect season for Pep Guardiola and his men.

Manchester City

The Citizens have been enjoying a sensational season in the Premier League this season. Pep Guardiola has led his team to a tangible lead at the top of the table while at the same time the team did rather well in the Champions League despite the 2-1 loss to Basel in the second leg of the previous round of competition.

As one of the standout teams in England – and Europe for that matter – this term, Manchester City were expected to stage a strong finish to the campaign but it would appear that fatigue is starting to play a part. Guardiola’s men have suffered successive defeats for the first time this season as they lost 3-0 to Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals and slumped to a demoralising 3-2 defeat at the hands of their local rivals United. Red Devils came from behind to ruin the City’s Premier League title and delay it for at least a couple of more days but celebration will be the last thing on City’s minds at the moment, knowing that they are on the brink of Champions League elimination. It’s back to the drawing board for Guardiola whose men were toothless in the first leg at Anfield. Three goals are a huge deficit but if there’s a team that can catch it up then it’s definitely City so they should not be underestimated.

Team News

Sergio Aguero’s return to the fold will be a huge boost for Manchester City. The Argentine striker made a return this weekend and is expected to start.

Danilo is in contention to replace Aymeric Laporte who failed to impress in the first leg while former Liverpool boy Raheem Sterling will also be pushing for a place in the starting line-up.

Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp is the man for great deeds as his track record against Pep Guardiola will attest. The German tactician once again got the better of the Spaniard, outwitting him to a blitzkrieg 3-0 win which will be a huge advantage as Reds prepare to travel to Manchester.

The atmosphere on Anfield was too much for City to handle, whereas the atmosphere outside the stadium wasn’t exactly something Liverpool can be proud of. Having had their team bus attacked, Manchester City fans will be geared up to reciprocate – at least by supporting their team the best they can. Klopp is well aware he is to be attacked from the second the whistle goes off but that’s the situation he thrives in thanks to his attack-oriented approach. The German could be forced to change his tactics a bit but it will all depend on the availability of his key man Mohamed Salah who was forced off with an injury in the first leg. Klopp will certainly be hoping three goals would be enough to see his team go through but won’t sit back and wait for 90 minutes to go by without doing anything.

Team News

Mohamed Salah missed the Merseyside derby and is racing to be fit for Manchester City.

Jordan Henderson is suspended after picking up a yellow card in the first leg which means Gini Wijnaldum is likely to be given a starting spot.

Key Factors to Consider

• City suffered consecutive defeats for the first time this season
• Liverpool lost only two of their last 14 away matches this term
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of LFC’s last 5 games
• City scored 4 or more goals on 12 occasions this season
• Citizens lost three of their last 5 matches in all competitions

Conclusion

Manchester City players might have already won the Premier League in their minds but dropping their guard came back to haunt them over the weekend. Pep Guardiola need to help his players lift their heads back up – which should not be too difficult – and we’re definitely in for another spectacular game this week.

Verdict: Liverpool not to Lose

Best Odds: 9/5

Bookmaker: 888sport