Manchester City v Liverpool

Manchester City: Form: WDLWL

Defeat at home to Manchester United in the FA Cup on Sunday was Manchester City’s first loss on their own turf since 20^th December 2010. This formidable record shows that Roberto Mancini’s men have made the Etihad Stadium a fortress. The Citizens won 30 of the 32 home games between those defeats. Considering how well they fought back, 3-0 down with ten men and only losing 3-2, it is clear to see they were not even weak when at a disadvantage.

They could go into this game without arguably their two best players this season. Yaya Toure (and less notably brother Kolo Toure) is off to the African Cup of Nations, whilst Vincent Kompany is set to appeal a three-match suspension after a hotly debated red card in Sunday’s derby clash. With this being a Carling Cup game City may well have rested them anyway, and may rest other players, semi-final or not.

Liverpool: Form: DDWLW

With two more days to recover and a less than arduous task in the FA Cup, Liverpool have had a far better build up on the football pitch. The problem at the moment for Liverpool is that the club cannot seem to escape controversy. With the Luis Suarez racism row ending without an appeal from the club that made t-shirts to show their support for the Uruguayan striker, it would have been hoped that things would quieten down at Anfield. Then a young Oldham defender is left in tears after a confrontation with a fan, that appears to have been racially motivated, before winger Stewart Downing was arrested on suspicion of assault.

On the pitch they can be a little underwhelmed with current form. Draws against Blackburn and Wigan were followed by a terrific win at home to Newcastle but then an easy defeat against Wednesday’s opponents City 3-0 at the Etihad stadium. The 5-1 at home to Oldham can almost be ignored, it was a 5-1 win at home to Oldham after all.

Match Prediction: Manchester City Win – 2.0 at William Hill

We are definitely without Yaya Toure and Luis Suarez for this game, and most likely without Vincent Kompany and Stewart Downing. Both sides will be hurt by these absentees, but maybe Liverpool less so. Andy Carroll will be a real threat against a weaker than usual defence that could have Richards and Lescott at its heart, but could have Savic in there. Good, but not top class, and Carroll’s aerial threat could be a real fillip.

The rest for Liverpool could depend on the fitness of two fantastic players whose legs are seemingly not what they were. If Craig Bellamy and captain fantastic Steven Gerrard are fit and firing then City will need to be at their best.

Luckily for City, they have shown the ability to deal with the out of sorts Carroll recently, and they also shown how to dismantle Liverpool with ease. The 3-0 victory last week was accomplished with ease. If names like Silva and Aguero are on the teamsheet then trouble will be brewing for Liverpool again. Five consecutive clean sheets in the league show they are back to their mean defensive ways too. This could be the base for victory.

But with no European football Liverpool can go all out for this, have had more rest and have the talent to take advantage of high profile absentees. With a good XI named by both teams this could be a thriller.

Highlighted Bets:-

Over/Under: Over 2.5 Goals – 2.05 Bet 365

First Goalscorer: Sergio Aguero – 6.00 Ladbrokes

Correct Score: 2-1 Manchester City – 9.00 Bet Fred

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