Liverpool And City Clash In Weekend`s Big Game

Premier League

Football
Published: 28/02/2015

Liverpool could close in on a Champions League place but will have to beat reigning Premier League champions Manchester City at Anfield in tomorrow`s 12:00 kick-off. Brendan Rodgers` Reds will replace Southampton in fifth position and move level on points with Arsenal who entertain Everton later in the day. A defeat to the Sky Blues could see the Merseyside club liable to be usurped by Tottenham who are otherwise occupied in the League Cup final.

Manchester City will be looking to reduce the gap on Premier League leaders Chelsea to two points, though the table toppers will have a game in hand over the second placed side, Jose Mourinho`s men in League Cup final action tomorrow.

A loss away in Liverpool would see Manuel Pellegrini`s men remain five points off the title pace, Chelsea able to extend their dominance to eight points by winning their spare match. Local rivals Manchester United would remain five points off the title holders in third.

The last time the two sides met was back in the teams` second game of the season, City running out the 3-1 winners following a hectic second half at the Etihad Stadium.

Stefan Jovetic was the hero of that August day, breaking the deadlock in the 41st minute before grabbing his second 10 minutes into the second 45. Sergio Aguero saw the Citizens go three to the good before Pablo Zabaleta put the ball into the back of his own net a mere seven minutes from time to give Liverpool a consolation. Betvictor`s 19/1 says that Pellegrini`s Sky Blues will win by the same scoreline in the reverse fixture at Anfield whilst 9/2 (bet365, william hill) is the price should you think that exactly four goals will be scored in the match once again.

Despite being away from home tomorrow, Manchester City are the favourites to return to Manchester with all three points. Most bookmakers are offering a price of 7/5 on what should be a close encounter in the North West. Those with faith in Rodgers` sixth placed Liverpool side can claim a price of 11/5 (betfred, Totesport) whilst a draw is available at 13/5 (bet365, Betbright, Betvictor, boylesports).

It sure won`t be easy for the slight favourites, however, what with the home side having won their last seven Premier League games at Anfield, having said that the club will be reeling from their mid-week exit from the Europa League at the hands of Turkish side Besiktas. They lost 5-4 on penalties following their second leg 1-0 defeat.

In contrast, Liverpool have scored 14 goals in their seven game streak, that`s the equivalent of grabbing two goals a game. In fact, they have scored at least two goals in all of their last five home top tier clashs. Fifty-one-to-ten (888sports, unibet) says that Rodgers` men will bag over 2.5 tomorrow.

Out-going legendary midfielder Steven Gerrard is the club`s top scorer in these matches having netted three times, twice in their 2-2 draw against Leicester City and once in his side`s 3-2 victory over Tottenham in their last outing in from of their own fans. Forty-one-to-ten (888sports, unibet) says that the former England captain will hit the back of the net at any time again against City whilst ladbrokes` 22/1 says he will secure another brace.

All of Gerrard`s three goals were from the penalty spot and william hill`s 11/4 says that a penalty will be awarded in the match at any time tomorrow.

The last time Manchester City tasted defeat on the road in the Premier League was back in October against West Ham United. On three occasions during this period, Pellegrini`s men have won by a margin of three goals. Betvictor`s 18/1 says that the away side will pick up a victory by the same margin this time around.

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Any odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of publishing (28/02/2015) but are subject to change.

28/02/2015     © Frixo 2024

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