Liverpool vs Manchester City predictions and betting tips – Champions face challengers

Manchester City cannot afford to lose much more ground on Arsenal in the Premier League title race after they dropped two points against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

Liverpool might be defending champions, but they have no hope of retaining their crown this season. Can they beat City to boost their top-five chances?

• Liverpool to win – 13/10 with BoyleSports
• Liverpool to score over 1.5 goals – 10/11 with Sky Bet
• Florian Wirtz to score or assist – 7/5 with Paddy Power

Liverpool vs Manchester City odds

Find the latest Liverpool vs Manchester City betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Liverpool vs Manchester City predictions

By the time Sunday’s blockbuster clash at Anfield begins, Manchester City could be nine points behind Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta’s men are in action on Saturday, with Sunderland visiting the Emirates Stadium. The Black Cats are having an excellent season, but their mediocre away record means Arsenal should see them off without too much trouble.

That would pile the pressure on City. The difference between a six-point and a nine-point deficit is huge psychologically. 

A lead of nine points would give Arsenal breathing space at the summit of the standings. Given there are persistent question marks about the team’s ability to handle pressure in the run-in, that additional cushion would be significant. 

Yet for all the scrutiny of Arsenal’s weaknesses, there is little doubt that they are the best team in the division right now.

Indeed, the conventional wisdom about City is a little outdated. In the past, Guardiola’s sides have gone on relentless winning runs to reel in title rivals. But the way this team is playing, that feels improbable this term.

Much has been said about Arsenal’s perceived fragility. Yet many data points suggest City have the bigger problem in that regard. 

Guardiola’s charges have dropped more points from winning positions than the Gunners. Arsenal have a better away record and have conceded fewer goals. Whereas Arteta’s men tend to come on strong in the second half of matches, City seem to become more vulnerable.

Last weekend’s meeting with Tottenham Hotspur was a case in point. Spurs were dismal in the first half, and with a 2-0 lead at the interval it was difficult to envisage City slipping up.

Yet when Tottenham rallied in the second period, City lost control. Thomas Frank’s team levelled things up at 2-2, and it was they who looked the more likely winners in the closing stages.

City did at least get back on track in midweek, beating Newcastle United 3-1 to advance to the EFL Cup final. But Sunday’s trip to Anfield is a tougher test. 

Liverpool thumped Newcastle 4-1 in their last outing to end a five-match winless streak in the league. 

It was a much improved performance from the Reds, but Arne Slot knows that his team must build on it. Liverpool need to string a run of consistent results together if they are to reestablish themselves as favourites for a top-five finish.

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Liverpool vs Manchester City betting tips

Liverpool and Manchester City will do battle in the standout fixture of the Premier League weekend.

Home advantage key

Liverpool and Manchester City have produced some classic encounters in recent years.

Neither side is at the level they were at their respective peaks under Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, but this will nevertheless be an enthralling contest.

Both teams will have their moments when they are on top, but home advantage and City’s struggles to control games point towards a Liverpool win.

The Reds started poorly against Newcastle last weekend, but the dominance of their display for the final hour will have given them confidence. 

City have almost lost as many away games as they have won this season (four versus five), so go for the Reds in this one.

Back Liverpool to win at 13/10 with BoyleSports

Two goals for hosts

If Liverpool are to triumph on Sunday, they will probably need to score at least twice.

It is hard to see them keeping a clean sheet for two reasons. One is the ongoing frailty of their defensive unit. The other is Manchester City’s potency in attack.

City have had problems in midfield and at the back this season, but they continue to pack a punch going forward. No one has scored as many goals as Guardiola’s men.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have not won a match with only one goal since September. After their rampant showing against Newcastle, they should score twice or more here.

Select Liverpool to score over 1.5 goals at 10/11 with Sky Bet

Wirtz back to best

It is fair to say it took Florian Wirtz a while to find his feet in the Premier League.

However, in the last few weeks the Germany international has performed at the level he consistently reached at Bayer Leverkusen.

Wirtz is now impacting games in the final third. The numbers do not lie: in his last 11 appearances, he has had a direct hand in nine Liverpool goals.

Wirtz scored six of those and set up another three, and he will be heavily involved in Liverpool’s attacking play against Manchester City.

Choose Florian Wirtz to score or assist at 7/5 with Paddy Power

Liverpool vs Manchester City predicted lineups

• Liverpool expected lineup: Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike. 
• Manchester City expected lineup: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, O’Reilly; Foden, Marmoush, Semenyo; Haaland. 

Where to watch Liverpool vs Manchester City

• Location: Anfield, Liverpool, England.
• Date and time: Sunday 8th February, 4.30pm.
• How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

More Premier League predictions

We have plenty more Premier League predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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