Build up to the match
Both Manchester City and Liverpool have something prove once the two sides meet at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. The Citizens, despite spending more than £200-milllion during the transfer window, are yet to find their footing and have been unconvincing in their first three matches. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s critics are yet to see an improvement from Jurgen Klopp’s side from last year. It all comes to boiling point come Saturday.
Match Information
Kickoff: Saturday, 9 September 2017, 12:30PM England time
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Team News
Manchester City’s courageous captain Vincent Kompany is still out with calf injury while their industrious midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is nursing a knock so both are unavailable to play for Pep Guardiola’s side. Add to that list is former Liverpool wonderkid Raheem Sterling, who is serving a match ban for a red card.
Liverpool will be missing their midfield workhorse Adam Lallana as well as their energetic full-back Nathaniel Clyne because of injury. Likewise, goalkeeper Adam Bogdan is also out due to an ACL tear.
Form
Manchester City
W-D-W-W-W
The Citizens are currently unbeaten in their last five Premier League games, such form stretching back to last season. And yet, City boss Guardiola will not be in the mood to be happy after an unconvincing win against Bournemouth two weeks ago and will definitely be keen to make amends by making a statement against Liverpool come Saturday.
Liverpool
W-W-D-W-W
Jurgen Klopp’s charges will definitely be more confident of securing a win than their opponents after their 4-0 drubbing of Arsenal in their previous Premier League game. However, to think that they will have the same luck at the Etihad come Saturday would be foolish and the Reds will definitely be pumped up to give their all in this game.
Trivia and Stats
Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 13 Premier League games held at home.
Manchester City have not scored less than two goals in their seven of their last eight games in the League.
City striker Sergio Aguero has scored in all five of his PL matches at home against Liverpool, and will be keen to score again in this game.
Liverpool are currently on a seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.
Liverpool have kept a clean sheet in six of their last seven league games.
Manchester City have lost only one of their last eight home Premier League meetings against Liverpool.
Match Prediction
This is certainly a tough game to call, with both sides very capable of nothing a win. However, City’s performances have always been impeccable at home and there is no indication such won’t happen again come Saturday. It will be a tight affair, but the Citizens will come out on top in the end.
Manchester City 1-0 Liverpool