Manchester City vs Liverpool betting preview: odds and predictions

WITH just 11 games to go, Manchester City can afford few, if any, slip-ups if they want to retain their Premier League title. Liverpool usually provide a tough test – can they do so again?

Manchester City vs Liverpool odds

Manchester City vs Liverpool betting preview

So, with the international break over, it’s straight into the Premier League run-in.

Liverpool need points as they chase a top-four finish, while the hosts know they can afford very few slip-ups in the last 11 games if they are to overhaul Arsenal at the summit.

Of course, City’s task is made all the harder by the fact they are, once again, chasing the Treble, although they do at least have a rare midweek off following this game so shouldn’t have to worry too much about player rotation.

Top scorer Erling Haaland is a doubt missing Norway’s Euro 2024 qualifiers, while Phil Foden is definitely out after undergoing surgery to remove his appendix.

For Liverpool, they are hoping their injury problems ease – Luis Diaz is approaching fitness again and Darwin Nunez should be back, although Stefan Bajcetic has been ruled out for the season.

It is usually a fixture which provides goals – both teams have scored in 10 of the last 12 meetings (all venues) while one of those which failed to deliver on that front was the game which came just a few days after Liverpool had won the title in 2020. We can forgive them a few drinks…

The Reds have caused City plenty of problems over the years but the fact is that they haven’t won this particular fixture in the Pep Guardiola era, while it’s not exactly hard to suggest they are not the side they once were.

A look at their way record shows that – just three wins and seven defeats on the road in this season’s Premier League. In all competitions, they’ve lost four of their last six away from Anfield, including at lowly Bournemouth.

Expect City to claim the win they require to keep the pressure on the leaders.

Best betting offers for Manchester City vs Liverpool

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Manchester City vs Liverpool key stats

• Both teams have scored in 10 of the last 12 meetings of these sides.
• Of the 13 home games City have played, they’ve won 10 by at least two clear goals, including against Manchester United, Spurs and Newcastle.
• Erling Haaland has scored 42 City goals this season in just 37 appearances but he is an injury doubt for this game.
• Mo Salah has scored in seven of his last 10 games against Man City.
• City have won their last six games in all competitions, while at the Etihad they’ve won all eight matches they’ve played in 2023.

Manchester City vs Liverpool best bets

Man City (-1) to win on the handicap

City’s two games prior to the international window saw Bunrley beaten 6-0 and RB Leipzig 7-0 at the Etihad.

While those scorelines are exceptional, the fact is City have had few problems dismissing sides on their own patch this season with 10 of 13 home league games seeing them cover the one-goal handicap.

Among those beaten by such a margin have been Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle, all of whom currently sit above Liverpool in the table.

The potential absence of Haaland is an obvious concern but City are far from a one-man team and in Julian Alvarez they have a ready-made replacement who will still score goals in this line-up.

Rodri 2+ shots

Labelled a defensive midfielder, Rodri is a prime example of the fluidity in the City line-up.

He’s able to make runs into the box and also offers a real threat from set pieces.

The Spaniard is on course for his best-ever season in terms of shots and he’s managed 2+ in seven of his last 10 games for City.

He also landed this bet in both appearances for Spain last week.

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals

A bet which has landed in seven of the last 10 meetings – hardly a surprise given the attacking philosophies of both managers.

Regardless of Haaland’s fitness, it’s hard to see Liverpool keeping the hosts out, while Liverpool will always carry a threat going the other way with Mo Salah having an excellent record in this fixture – only against Manchester United has he scored more goals in his career.

City have managed to keep just one clean sheet in eight home games against the current top 12 and that trend looks likely to continue here.

How to watch Manchester City vs Liverpool

• Location: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England.
• Time: Saturday, April 1, 12:30 BST.
• Where to watch: BT Sport 1.

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