English Premier League - Manchester City Vs Liverpool: Match Analysis

The Premier League’s two most potent attacks go head-to-head when Manchester City host Liverpool on Thursday.

Third-placed City have scored an incredible 52 goals in their 17 top flight fixtures this term – nice more than the table-topping Reds have notched in the same number of games.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side have been particularly prolific at the Etihad Stadium, scoring 35 while conceding just five to take maximum points from their seven matches on home turf this season.
City followed that win up with a 4-2 victory at Fulham last Saturday but free-scoring Liverpool will take heart from the fact Pellegrini’s team have conceded nine goals in their last four league matches.

Brendan Rodger’s men have responded brilliantly to their 3-1 reverse at Hull City on December 1, winning four games in a row and scoring 17 goals in the process.

Luis Suarez’s scintillating form has been the driving force behind Liverpool’s run, with the Uruguayan notching 10 goals since the loss at the KC Stadium to take his Premier League tally to 19 in just 12 appearances this term.

That total puts Suarez six goals clear of City’s Argentine Striker, Sergio Aguero, in the race of the golden boot and he has the opportunity to extend that lead further on Thursday as his South American counterpart is sidelined with a calf problem.

A win for the Citizens could see them potentioally in top spot on Boxing Day, as their large squad will be tested to its limits over the festive period. As for injuries, City are still missing top scorer Seagio Aguero and defenders Matija Nastasic, Pablo Zabaleta and Micah Richards.

Liverpool’s captain Steven Gerrard is still out, while john Flanagan is a doubt and could join Daniel Studrridge, Jose Enrique and Sebastian Coates on the sidelines.

Everyone is predicting goals, but I think both sides ultra-attacking emphasis could actually cancel each other out. This will be a nervy game, as City doesn’t want to lose their incredible home record and Liverpool has struggled on the road a little. But if that man Suarez scores a few early, expect a rampant City to come roaring back with all guns blazing. I’m sitting on the fence and going for a draw.

Recent Form:

City: WDWWWW

Liverpool: DLWWWW

Predicted Score: 2-2 (with two more goals from Suarez)

Possible Line ups:

Manchester City: Hart; Clichy, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Touré; Navas, Silva, Nasri; Negredo.

Liverpool: Mignolet; Johnson, Sakho, Skrtel, Flanagan; Allen, Lucas, Henderson; Coutinho, Suarez, Sterling.