Just as we were going into the swing of the new season, along came the international break. But after a week, chock-full of exciting International fixtures, the Premier League gets back underway this weekend, with Manchester City’s clash with Liverpool being the most eye catching fixture.
Both teams are tied with seven points each, with Liverpool ahead due to their superior goal difference. Liverpool are currently placed second on the table, while the Sky Blues settle for fourth spot in the Premier League standings so far, which makes this clash far more interesting. A win for any of these two teams will propel them to number one spot, with table toppers Manchester United having a game in hand.
Pep Guardiola’s second season at Man City, hasn’t exactly started as he had hoped for. The Sky Blues looked unconvincing in their matches so far. They have failed to make use of their chances and the team is clearly lacking some intent.
In fact, they were fortunate enough to get away with all three points, in their last game against Bournemouth. Drawing 1-1 for the most period of the game and with the game nearing its conclusion, Raheem Sterling’s 90th-minute goal snatched two points from the Cherries, who are now lavishing at the bottom end of the table.
On the other end, things are looking very different at Merseyside. After a defensively leaky start to the season, Jurgen Klopp’s men seem to have found the right rhythm, as they are currently on a four game winning streak, in all competitions.
The thrashing of German outfit TSG Hoffenheim, to seal a place in the Champions League, was followed by an equally impressive performance against Arsenal. The Reds completely outclassed Arsene Wenger’s men, ultimately registering a 4:0 win at Anfield.
Therefore, the odds do favour the Reds ahead of this much-awaited clash between two of Premier League heavyweights but in the corridor of uncertainties in the Premier League, we should be better advised not to predict anything from such a high-end encounter.
Team News
Vincent Kompany didn’t train with Manchester City camp on Thursday after the defender picked up a fresh calf problem while on International duty with Belgium. The 31 year old still has plenty to offer and will be a big loss for coach Pep Guardiola. Kompany felt a knock during the win over Gibraltar but played on for full 90 minutes.
Raheem Sterling will sit out the game against his former club due to a suspension but Kyle Walker is back in contention after serving a ban. Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is also returning to full-fitness but is not expected to be in the squad this weekend.
As for Liverpool, new signing Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain could make his debut for his new club. The ex-Arsenal winger signed for a fee of a €38m in the final days of the transfer window. His chance of starting in the team sheet is further increased due to the absence of right back Nathaniel Clyne.
Adam Lallana remains injured while Philipe Coutinho featured for Brazil during the International break but whether or not he will be selected or not remains a point of debate.
Predicted Lineups
Man City(4-2-2-2 formation): Ederson; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi, Benjamin Mendy; David Silva, Fernandinho; Bernardo Silva, Kevin de Bruyne; Jesus, Sergio Aguero
Liverpool(4-3-3 formation): Simon Mignolet; Trent-Alexander Arnold, Joel Matip, Dejan Lovren, Alberto Moreno; Emre Can, Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum; Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah.
Prediction
Man City 2:2 Liverpool
Odds:
Manchester City: 17/20
Draw: 3/1
Liverpool: 16/5
