Defending English Premier League champions Manchester City, led by Roberto Mancini, will travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool on Sunday, 26 August.
City avoided a disastrous start to the new campaign with a comeback victory against Premier League newcomers Southampton at the Etihad Stadium, while Liverpool’s season did in fact start with disaster as Brendan Rodgers’ side lost 3-0 to West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.
The Blues will surely be looking for more of the same at Anfield on Sunday, but Liverpool, who have tallied just 18 points in 20 league games in 2012, will need to improve drastically from their dismal opening day display against West Brom.
With that said, Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 10 competitive matches against City at Anfield, winning six and drawing four.
Now then, in the eyes of Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini, Liverpool will challenge for the Premier League title in 2012/13.
“I think Liverpool will fight for the title this year because they play well, they bought good players, they have a good manager and they have changed their style of play,” said Mancini.
“Every game you play at Anfield is really tough. They come from a game against West Bromwich where they didn’t deserve to lose but football is strange. For this I think it will be a hard game.”
Surely Mancini is just taking a page out of Jose Mourinho’s managerial handbook and taking the pressure off his team heading into Sunday’s clash.
Do you think Liverpool will challenge the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United for the league title this season?
Premier League Betting Odds | Liverpool v Manchester City
Despite their good home record against City of late, Liverpool are underdogs to win on Sunday, and rightfully so.
Liverpool (2/1) v Manchester City (6/4); Draw (23/10)
Out-of-favour striker Andy Carroll, who has netted four league goals against Manchester City in his career, is 15/2 to open the scoring at Anfield.
Meanwhile, Manchester City striker duo Carlos Tevez, 7/5, and Mario Balotelli, 8/5, are the bookmakers’ favourites to score anytime.
Total Goals
Over 2.5 Goals (19/20)/Under 2.5 Goals (17/20)
Liverpool Player to Watch
With centre-back Daniel Agger unavailable due to suspension, Martin Skrtel will need to be on top form for the Reds. Can Skrtel, who has been linked with a move to Manchester City this summer, quell with the likes of Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli? We shall see.
Manchester City Player to Watch
Look no further than Super Mario Balotelli, who is coming off a very strong Euro 2012 campaign with the Azzurri in Poland-Ukraine.
The 22-year-old centre-forward bagged three goals in six appearances (five starts) for runners-up Italy at the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship, including a brace against European powerhouse Germany in the semifinal.
Prediction: Liverpool v Manchester City
Liverpool 0 – Manchester City 2
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