English Premier League Preview: Manchester City Vs Liverpool

The most eagerly awaited clash this boxing day between table toppers Liverpool and big spending Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium will set the tone for the busy new year period when much change is expected to happen in the table and the probable champions will emerge out the cluster that is starting to form with the top 5 teams separated by just 2 points in the most openly contested seasons ever in the Barclays English Premier League.
This is also the most favourable time for Liverpool who are on a free scoring run themselves riding high on Suarez’s red hot form. Despite the absence of Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge and Enrique they are marching on handsomely with the likes of Henderson, Sterling and others stepping up to justify their place in the squad. Liverpool are on a roll after high-scoring victories against Norwich City, West Ham, Tottenham and Cardiff, but finish the year with two difficult trips to Manchester City and Chelsea at home and the outcome of these two matches will go a long way in deciding their season.
Coming to their opposition, Manchester City who themselves are having a pretty good run having beaten the likes of Bayern Munich in the Champions League and playing a very attractive brand of football under the stewardship of Manuel Pellegrini. The only hiccup for them is the absence of their top scorer Aguero but considering City’s form at home this season where they have won all of their 8 matches this term, it will be a tough challenge for Liverpool.
Looking at the stats, City have scored an incredible 51 goals in their 17 top flight fixtures this term - nine more than the table-topping Reds have notched in the same number of games. City have gone on to score 35 while conceding just five to take maximum points from their seven matches on home turf this season.
Looking at the injury list, City will be missing Aguero (calf), Zabaleta (hamstring), Micah Richards (hamstring), Matija Nastasic (calf) and Stevan Jovetic (knock). Liverpool on the other hand will be missing Sturridge (ankle), Gerrard (hamstring), Jose Enrique (knee) and Sebastian Coates (knee).
Manchester City probable line-up: (4-2-3-1)
Hart; Clichy, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Touré; Navas, Silva, Nasri; Negredo
Liverpool probable line-up: (4-3-3)
Mignolet; Kelly, Skrtel, Sakho, Johnson; Henderson, Allen, Leiva; Sterling, Coutinho, Suarez
The corresponding fixture last season ended in a 2-2 draw, although both of Liverpool’s goalscorers on that occasion - Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard - will miss this clash.
But from a neutral’s point of view this match has all the ingredients to make your festive season special. The match promises lots of goals and excitement to keep you hooked to your television sets.