Kick-off: 1230, 25/11/2023
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
TV: Sky Sports
Manchester City return from the international break just a point ahead of second-placed Liverpool heading into their top-of-the-table clash at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
City are unbeaten since losing 1-0 at Arsenal on October 8 but drew 4-4 last time out in a remarkable clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Despite losing 3-2 against Toulouse in the Europa League just before the international break, Liverpool have been in fine form domestically with their only defeat in the Premier League coming in the controversial 2-1 defeat at Tottenham in September.
Given both sides have been hitting the net with regularity this term – City’s 32 is the most in the Premier League while Liverpool’s 27 is only bettered by Aston Villa’s 29 – then we reckon both teams to score at 1/2 is a no-brainer as our opening Man City vs Liverpool prediction.
Stats close
Since Pep Guardiola was appointed City boss in 2016, his record against Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp has been nip and tuck.
Klopp holds the overall advantage after 20 games across all competitions, including Community Shields, with Liverpool having won eight to City’s seven.
At the Etihad Stadium, though, Guardiola has the upper hand. City have beaten the Reds five times from nine matches in all competitons on home soil since 2016.
Indeed, Guardiola actually enjoys an undefeated home record against Klopp in the Premier League from seven games, tasting victory on four occasions, with their only defeat coming in the Champions League in April 2018.
The Premier League champions will not want to hand the initiative to Liverpool but, given the Reds have made a strong start to the campaign themselves, 23/2 for a 2-2 draw is tempting when looking at the Man City vs Liverpool odds.
Haaland vs Salah
Erling Haaland is a slight injury doubt for the weekend but the City striker’s ankle injury – picked up against the Faroe Islands last week – was described as “not serious” by Norway’s team doctor.
Haaland, scorer of 52 goals for City in their treble-winning campaign last season, has netted 17 times in all competitions for Guardiola’s men so far this term.
The 23-year-old leads the Premier League charts again with 13 in 12 games and will be desperate to add to that tally against the Reds.
Mohamed Salah is Haaland’s closest challenger having bagged 10 in 12 games for Liverpool while also providing four assists.
If you fancy Haaland to score first and the match to be drawn you could get 14/1 while if Salah breaks the deadlock and the match ends all-square you could collect 20/1.
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