Manchester City and Liverpool face off in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League with the Reds visiting Etihad carrying a 3-0 scoreline to defend in their favour. It promises to be another night filled with drama and more importantly with goals. Here we can take a look at the match preview.
Team News
Manchester City:
There are no further injury concerns or suspension issues for Manchester City. Guardiola will have a full flock to choose from. He might consider benching Raheem Sterling in place of Bernardo Silva owing to the Englishman’s poor form in front of goal. Also, Kyle Walker who sat out the Manchester derby is likely to replace Danilo in the starting lineup. Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero could be set to make their return to the starting XI after coming off from the bench in the defeat to Manchester United over the weekend.
Liverpool:
The Reds will not be able to have their captain and defensive midfielder Jordan Henderson in the lineup as the Englishman received a yellow card in the last match, leading him to remain suspended for the second leg clash. They will also be missing Joel Matip who is ruled out due to injury and Nathaniel Clyne who played over the weekend after missing majority of the season might be on the bench but not fit enough to start again.
Henderson is expected to be replaced by Georginio Wijnaldum in the midfield.
Predicted Line-Ups:
Manchester City:
Ederson, Kyle Walker, Nicolas Otamendi, Vincent Kompany, Fabian Delph, Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Sergio Aguero, Leroy Sane
Liverpool:
Loris Karius, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil Van Dijk, Dejan Lovren, Andrew Robertson, James Milner, Georginio Wijnaldum, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah
Key Men:
Manchester City:
Kevin De Bruyne, who is one of the brilliant performers this season and has been shortlisted for the PFA player of the year award, is surely going to be a game changer. His ability to do everything; dribble, cross, pass, shoot, tackle; from the midfield will be a vital asset to his team for the match. Sergio Aguero will have to bring his A game and exploit the weakness in the Liverpool backline if he wishes to help his team get over the line on a night where City need plenty of goals.
Liverpool:
Mohamed Salah is the most important Liverpool player by far. He has scored over 35 goals this season and has been in electric form in front of goal. The Egyptian has scored against City as well and will be looking to get his team the vital away goal that could well see the tie killed off before City can have a go at Liverpool.
Betting Odds:
Manchester City Win: 9/20
Draw: 17/4
Liverpool Win: 23/4
