Manchester City vs Liverpool Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Manchester City:
Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Cancelo; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Foden, Sterling
Liverpool:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Mane, Luis Diaz
It's time for the big derby between leaders Manchester City and second-placed Liverpool. The difference between them is just one point, so the winners will come much closer to the title despite the fact there will be seven more matches to be played. Both teams are in good form, the Citizens have three victories in a row. They beat Southampton 4:1 in the FA Cup and beat Atletico Madrid 1:0 in the Champions League first-leg match of the quarter-finals. In the Premier League, City won 2:0 against Burnley at Turf Moor last Saturday thanks to goals scored by Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan. It took only 5 minutes for the reigning champions to take the lead when Sterling knocked Rodri's cross into the path of de Bruyne, who time to pick his spot and fire into the roof of the net. He and Sterling combined again for the second goal, but this time it was Gundogan who provided the finish with a cool volley after Sterling found him in space inside the area. Guardiola has some injury issues ahead of the derby. He remain without centre-back Ruben Dias due to a thigh injury, while young Cole Palmer is also absent due to an ankle injury. Foden, who came from the bench against Atletico, should lead the line together with Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling.
Liverpool are in excellent form in the Premier League. They managed to register 10 victories and the players confidence is high. The Reds beat Brentford, Crystal Palace, Leicester City, Burnley, Norwich, Leeds, West Ham, Brighton, Arsenal and Watford in the last match. It wasn't easy against the Hornets, but Diogo Jota found the back of the net in the first, while Fabinho converted a suspicious penalty in the second half. Liverpool were also successful in the Champions League. The 3:1 win at Benfica means Klopp's men are very close to the semi-final. About the team news, right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has recovered from a hamstring problem and played almost the whole match against Benfica, as well as Naby Keita. Fabinho came off in that game with a cut to the head, but should be available for the top-of-the-table clash. Konate scored the first goal at the Estadio da Luz before being at fault for Nunez's effort and is sure to make way for Joel Matip. Klopp has to make big decision in attack. Mohamed Salah look out of form since returning from the international break, but Klopp surely will start with the Egyptian, leaving Mane, Diaz, Jota and Firmino to battle for the remaining two attacking spots.
Manchester City vs Liverpool Prediction:
Manchester City are closer to the victory here, mainly due to the home advantage. The Reds have not kept a clean sheet in any of their past 11 league matches at Etihad Stadium. But there is more, connect with the key players. While Kevin De Bruyne has scored on the last three matches for the club, Salah looks out of form at the moment. Plus, he and Mane are not in friendly relations after the match between Senegal and Egypt in Dakar.
Manchester City vs Liverpool Pick: Manchester City to win @ 2.09 with Pinnacle