Liverpool vs Manchester City Prediction and Preview – 02/03/16
Premier League preview – Liverpool vs Manchester City prediction.
Jurgen Klopp is likely to make changes to the Liverpool side that started against Manchester City in the Carling Cup final at Wembley on Sunday. Mamadou Sakho picked up a head injury in the first half and it’s doubtful he will recover in time for Wednesday while Daniel Sturridge could be rested after finishing with cramp and exhaustion. Dejan Lovren and Kolo Toure are the obvious pairing at centre back with Martin Skrtel and Steven Caulker also out of action. But, Klopp started the final with midfielder Lucas Leiva at centre back and one the natural defenders may miss out again. Adam Lallana, Divock Origi and Christian Benteke compete for a place in attack.
Manchester City penalty hero Willy Caballero will drop back to the bench for Joe Hart to take over between the sticks. Manuel Pellegrini has options to replace any tired legs that become evident in training. Jesus Navas replaced Fernando for extra time but is a more natural replacement for Fernandino who has been playing on the right wing. Full backs Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov are pushing for starts but there will be no places for Samir Nasri, Kevin de Bruyne or Fabian Delph who are injured.
Possible Line-ups
Liverpool 4-3-3 formation: Mignolet; Clyne, Toure, Lovren, Moreno; Milner, Can, Henderson; Lallana, Firmino, Coutinho
Manchester City 4-2-3-1 formation: Hart; Sagna, Otamendi, Kompany, Clichy; Fernando, Toure; Fernandinho, Silva, Sterling; Aguero
Statistics
- Liverpool have won 3 drawn 5 and lost 2 of their last 10 matches
- Manchester City have won 5 drawn 2 and lost 3 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Liverpool have scored an average of 1.6 goals and conceded an average of 1.1 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Manchester City have scored an average of 2.1 goals and conceded an average of 1.5 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 3 of Liverpool’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 8 of Manchester City’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Liverpool may have lost the cup final on penalties on Sunday but the Reds won their Premier League meeting 4-1 at Etihad Stadium in November and have not been beaten by City at Anfield since 2003. Liverpool’s home form has been a mystery this season and the relatively poor return of four league wins in 12 home games is the main reason they are in mid-division instead of battling for a top four slot. Klopp’s side has not won in the last three homes games which has not happened since May 2013.
Manchester City lost back-to-back league games at Etihad prior to their appearance at Wembley and will hope winning the Carling Cup can prove to be the springboard for a renewed title challenge. Pellegrini’s men won their Champions league game in Kiev last week and are undefeated in their last four away games in the Premier League.
Manchester City created the better chances on Sunday and with clinical finishing can beat their Anfield hoodoo in Wednesday’s rematch.
Tips
Manchester City to win at 15/8 with bet365
Over 2.5 goals at Evens at Betfair Sportsbook
Manchester City to win 2-1 at 21/2 with BetVictor
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