Manchester City host Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium in a blockbuster showdown in the Premier League title race.
Victory will see Man City stay top and extend their title lead to four points for at least a few hours, whilst Liverpool will move top with a win.
Team News
Erling Haaland is a doubt for Man City after he suffered an ankle injury during Norway’s friendly win over Faroe Islands.
Ederson (foot), Sergio Gomez (ankle) and Nathan Ake (knock) are also doubtful but Matheus Nunes (muscle) plus Mateo Kovacic (quad) are ruled out.
John Stones (muscle) and Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring) remains absent.
Liverpool will welcome Alexis Mac Allister back from suspension which saw the midfielder sit out their win over Brentford.
Ibrahima Konate (muscle), Joe Gomez (unspecified), Curtis Jones (hamstring) and Ryan Gravenberch (knee) are expected to be available.
Andrew Robertson (shoulder), Stefan Bajcetic (calf) and Thiago Alcantara (hip) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Man City host Liverpool at Etihad Stadium in a 12:30pm GMT kick-off on Saturday 25 November, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Man City are unbeaten in six of their last seven meetings against Liverpool (W3, D3, L1).
- Liverpool are winless in their last seven visits to Man City (D3, L4).
- Injured City midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne has scored in their last two league matches at home to Liverpool.
- City have conceded just three goals in five league matches at home this season (W5).
- Liverpool have conceded first in each of their last five away matches in the top flight (W2, D2, L1).
Prediction
Having conceded four goals in their draw at Chelsea in one of their most shaky defensive performances under Pep Guardiola, Man City will of been glad to have had the international break to reset for a crucial game like this where their defence must be as good as their attack.
Haaland however is a concern because if he is unavailable then this is a huge test of Julian Alvarez’s ability to lead their attack in a blockbuster league fixture, where they are going to have to adapt their style and be more clinical given how crucial the Norwegian has been to their attack.
Liverpool meanwhile executed a clinical performance to beat Brentford after an initial nervy start at the back, so shouldn’t have too much to fear coming into this game if they continue to play with the same solid pressing and end product which has been key to their results in recent weeks.
Add in the pressure of a top-of-table clash and a fierce rivalry amongst fans then this game should be a cracker but unless Haaland starts and City’s defence is more solid, I can see Liverpool winning this game despite their inconsistent performances on the road.
Prediction: Manchester City 1-2 Liverpool
Result: Manchester City 1-1 Liverpool
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