During the international break things got pretty heated in the Premier League with Manchester City finally found guilty on 114 out of 115 charges after a long investigation. The club now waits to hear what punishment is coming their way and many fans are wondering if it will be a light tap on the wrist or something much heavier that could shake up the title race. Against this messy background the team must travel to face Liverpool in what promises to be a fiery encounter full of drama both on and off the pitch.
Team Form
Manchester City remain the only side in the league to win all five of their opening games yet the constant talk of bans and points deductions is clearly weighing on the players and staff. Liverpool on the other hand have stayed unbeaten in five matches though they have only two victories to show for it. In their last five outings across all competitions the Reds picked up four wins and one draw with their defence keeping clean sheets in three of those games which shows they are getting stronger at the back.
- City have five straight Premier League wins but face distraction from the ongoing case
- Liverpool kept three clean sheets in their last five matches
- Both sides have strong attacking options that can change games in seconds
- Home advantage at Anfield often proves decisive in big clashes
Tactical Analysis
The visitors will find it hard to ignore the headlines about their club and this could affect how they press and move the ball in the opening stages. Liverpool are likely to use their strong home crowd to press high and force mistakes while relying on quick transitions to catch City on the break. The Reds have improved their organisation at the back and this could limit the space City usually enjoy in behind the defence.
Betting Proposal
Liverpool should at least avoid defeat on their own patch and the value looks to be with the hosts. Handicap 1 (0) at 1.90 offers solid cover while a straight home win at 2.60 could also appeal if you fancy the Reds to take full advantage of City nerves.
Overall this fixture has all the ingredients for a tense battle where one moment of quality or a defensive lapse could decide everything and punters should keep an eye on late team news before committing to any wager.
