Liverpool v Man City odds

 

Liverpool V Manchester City

Date & Kick-Off: Sunday, 27 November 2011 – 16:00 GMT

Venue: Anfield

 

Preview

Neither Arsenal nor Chelsea could contend with King Kenny’s men. Defending champions Man Utd probably should have gone the say way. So how will Manchester City, the current league leaders, a team who have scored an unprecedented amount of goals and have only dropped two points all season, fare when they face the wrath of Liverpool in a fixture which hasn’t bore much fruit for them in previous campaigns.

In their last ten league visits to Anfield, Manchester City have only managed two draws. Their last win on Merseyside was way back in 2003, while last season, City slumped to a 3-0 loss in this fixture – the last occasion Roberto Mancini’s men failed to score in a Premier League match. In fact, they haven’t stopped scoring ever since, averaging almost four a game this season.

No doubt about it then – a huge test for both teams. Neither will be particularly excited at the prospect of facing each other, with both in blistering form, although recent results could have a significant bearing on who prospers in Sunday’s live Sky Sports’ encounter. Whereas hosts Liverpool go into the game full of confidence after slaying Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last week, Manchester City will be crushed following Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to Napoli, which has left their hopes of reaching the latter stages of the competition in tatters.

A test of character perhaps for the commanding league leaders? There haven’t been too many of those this season. The one obvious one was their trip to Old Trafford for the Manchester derby. They ended up winning that at a canter, 6-1. Surely they won’t go to another iconic ground in English football and win handsomely?

 

Liverpool

League Position: 6th

League Form: DDWDW

Perhaps the pressure gets to them? The pressure of entertaining the masses, or even the expectancy which circulates amongst not only the fans, but the media as well before every should-win game. Whatever it is, Liverpool have seriously struggled against the smaller sides this season, dropping crucial points against the likes of Norwich, Sunderland and Swansea – all at home, too.

They’ve had no such problems against their main rivals, though, and on Sunday they’ll look to once again rise to the occasion when they welcome table-toppers Man City to Anfield aiming to repeat last season’s epic performance in the corresponding fixture back in April, when Andy Carroll scored his first goals for the club in a comprehensive 3-0 victory.

You’ll get massive odds on another 3-0 success for Kenny Dalglish & Co, mainly because it almost certainly won’t happen. But a Liverpool victory, whatever the final score, is by no means beyond the realms of possibility. The Reds are in decent form going into the game; unbeaten in their last eight, having lost just once at Anfield in their last 16 Premier League matches, and they will feel they are capable of anything after last week’s impressive win at Stamford Bridge over Chelsea.

I suspect Liverpool won’t be shy of friends at their current price, with the Reds installed as underdogs despite home advantage, and despite having already beaten Arsenal and Chelsea this season, both away from home, too. Manchester United were completely outplayed when they paid Anfield a visit last month, so who’s to say the Reds won’t claim another scalp – thee scalp right now – in leaders Manchester City, whom are the only Premier League team still to taste defeat.

 

Manchester City

League Position: 1st

League Form: WWWWW

Four days – the amount of time Man City have had to digest Tuesday’s horrific result in Naples. Will it prove enough? Are they ready to be thrust straight back into domestic action? Will the Premier League leaders, the team which has scored goals at a canter, battered teams for fun and won a record 11 of their opening 12 league fixtures, be in the right frame of mind for Sunday’s heavyweight billing at Anfield, where their record is lousy and their opponents are overflowing with confidence? I sure can’t wait to find out.

The biggest test of the season so far. That’s how I see this match for City. I wouldn’t say they’ve had it easy up till now, but they have only faced United in their opening twelve games, and for a team which has had a £300million+ overhaul in just three seasons, you’d expect nothing less than a string of routine wins.

These are the games where you lay down markers, gauntlets even, and if City dispatch Liverpool, a side they haven’t beaten at Anfield in their previous ten attempts, in the same manner as they did United, then what hope is there for the rest of the Premier League? It is, however, highly unlikely; Roberto Mancini’s will still be licking their wounds following Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to Napoli in Italy, a result which leaves them on the cusp of dropping into the Europa League, while Liverpool will be buoyed by their recent success over Chelsea in London.

However, whether it’s been at home or away, City have won matches this season. The stature of their opponents hasn’t mattered either. Moreover, location has had absolutely no bearing whatsoever when it comes to scoring goals. In actual fact, 23 of the 42 goals Roberto Mancini’s men have scored in the league so far were netted on the road. Eleven of which were at Tottenham (5) and Manchester United (6), which is frightening when you think about it.

Incredible stuff, and partly why bookmakers have gone to town on installing the Citizens as favourites for Sunday’s game, even though their last victory over Liverpool on Merseyside was back in 2003.

 

Match Pointers

- Between 2005 and the present day, Manchester City have beaten Liverpool just once in the Premier League (W1 D5 L6).

- The last time Man City were victorious at Anfield was eight years ago, back in 2003 when a Nicolas Anelka brace sealed a 2-1 win; they’ve lost six of the subsequent eight Merseyside encounters since.

- Liverpool are unbeaten in seven in the league, winning four and drawing three.

- The only team to have recorded a Premier League win at Anfield in 2011 are Tottenham, back in May on the final day of last season, with that being Liverpool’s only home league defeat in 16 matches (W9 D6 L1).

- The Reds have drawn each of their previous three home league games, two by a 1-1 scoreline.

- Manchester City suffered their first defeat in ten in Naples on Tuesday, though they remain unbeaten since May in the Premier League, winning a staggering 14 of 15 since losing 2-1 at Everton on 7 May.

- The Citizens have won seven consecutive Premier League games, scoring 25 and conceding a miserly 6.

- No team has stopped City from scoring in 18 Premier League fixtures, since, coincidentally, Liverpool beat them 3-0 at Anfield back in April.

 

Betting

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has warned those on the periphery of the first-team not to disrupt the harmony of the team, and to keep any negative emotions in check. It comes after his decision to leave several high profile names on the bench for last week’s visit to Chelsea, with even vice-captain Jamie Carragher among those omitted.

Clearly price tags and reputations hold no bearing in the Liverpool dressing room, with Dalglish sticking to his policy of choosing the right players for the right occasion – which means we could see a few more changes on Saturday, as this fixture is like no other they have experienced so far this season.

In all the big games, Kenny Dalglish’s team-sheet and tactics have been spot-on. So you wonder what the Reds chief has up his sleeve for the visit of undefeated Man City. Whatever it may be, the fact is, he has masterminded both Arsenal and Chelsea’s demise, and so nearly Man Utd’s, and that should serve as some indication as to what both he and his team are capable of.

However, the thing about Manchester City is, they have the fire power to blow any team out of the water – as they did at Old Trafford and White Hart Lane to Man Utd and Tottenham respectively, two teams who just so happen to be second and third in the table. I genuinely don’t believe they’ll pull off something similarly extraordinary at Anfield against a team which has allowed the fewest shots on their own goal, but it is mighty difficult to oppose them nonetheless.

It almost seems strange to predict a low scoring affair when you consider the wealth of attacking talent that will be on show in both teams, but tactics could play a prominent role in this match, as both managers are full of respect for each other, and that should tell on the pitch. So, honours even at Anfield.

Match Outcome: Draw – 23/10 Ladbrokes

Value Bet: 1-1 Draw (Correct Score) – 6/1 Ladbrokes

 

Match Odds

Liverpool – 19/10 bWin

Draw – 23/10 Ladbrokes

Manchester City – 17/10 WilliamHill

 

Liverpool V Manchester City

 

Kick-off: Saturday 21st November – 12:45 GMT

Venue: Anfield

TV Coverage: Sky Sports 1

 

 

 

Liverpool

 

League Position: 3rd

Recent Form: WWWWD

 

 

It’s man the battle station at Anfield as Liverpool signed off a bitterly disappointing month of October by starting November with a pathetic draw at home to Birmingham City. The reds’ have now won just once in five outings in the league, a 2-0 win over Manchester United, of all the teams. Their Champions League dreams are hanging by the slimmest of threads, a tournament which they could be out of by this time next week, while their league objective has gone from winning the league to simply finishing in the top four. Although, at this rate, Liverpool will be lucky to finish in a Europa league spot.

   

Rafael Benitez was handed a mixture of good & bad news this week as news that several of the first team have recovered from a wide variety of injuries and knocks. Glen Johnson sat out England’s 1-0 defeat in Doha to Brazil, as well as Steven Gerrard, who made his return to the Liverpool fold against Birmingham after Yossi Benayoun limped off. However, the bad news is that Fernando Torres probably won’t be available for the weekend’s clash with Man City, while Yossi Benayoun & Alberto Riera are also certain absentee’s.

  

Whenever Liverpool are without either Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres they generally struggle to win games. This was certainly the case against Birmingham, although their abysmal defending didn’t help their cause. It will be fair to say that Liverpool dominated proceedings with Birmingham, having most of the possession and chances, but David N’gog, the like-for-like replacement for Torres, one of the jokes of the season it has to be said, simply didn’t make the cut in that role despite scoring the games opener with a sublime volley. The Spaniards off the ball movement and ability to know exactly where the crosses and through balls will go is something N’gog has yet to master and the only reason why Liverpool didn’t beat Birmingham.

  

That draw with Birmingham has all but ended Liverpool’s hopes of winning their first league title in what seems an eternity, despite the season being just 12 games old. The reds’ are 11 points adrift of Chelsea at the top, so now their attention will lye directly in attaining at least a fourth place finish. With this in mind, this game with City now becomes somewhat of a six pointer as defeat for Liverpool, what would be their fourth in six league games, would not only see City go four points clear of Rafa Benitez’s side but they would also hold a game in hand over Liverpool. Defeat is unthinkable, while a draw is unacceptable, so the win is the only result that will keep the faith of the fans firmly alive but also keep the critics at bay, albeit probably for just a few days.

 

 

 

Manchester City

 

League Position: 4th

Recent Form: LWDWL

  

Man City have already taken on two of the so called ‘Big Four’ this season, winning one and losing the other. They humiliated Arsenal, for the second season running, at The City of Manchester, while they put in a valiant display at the home of their local rivals, Manchester United, with a dubious 208^th minute goal (it was actually the 96^th) spoiling City’s early celebrations. However, in both games, City were mighty impressive and really took the game to the pair, and we expect nothing less against an injury ravaged Liverpool outfit on Saturday.

  

Although Liverpool will welcome back their talisman in Steven Gerrard from injury, there is no better time to play Liverpool at Anfield then this Saturday. Mark Hughes will be fully aware of this but, of course, he will play this down like he always does. If City do play in the manner which seen them thump Arsenal 4-2, and push United all the way in a 4-3 corker, then City should go close to at least earning a point, possibly even all three with the way Liverpool are playing, although, City haven’t been impressing of late, drawing on their last five outings in the league, to much weaker opponents it has to be said.

  

City started the season like a house on fire, winning five out of six. However, they have gone significantly off the boil since and can’t escape their terrible habit of drawing games. With the exception of the draw with Villa, Wigan (1-1), Fulham (2-2), Birmingham City (0-0) & Burnley (3-3), were all games City could only manage draws in and were matches where City, on paper anyway, should have won. City even let slip a one goal cushion with just minutes left to play against a Burnley side with five successive away defeat behind them, so that just highlights City’s mini rot at this present time.

  

A big boost for Mark Hughes, like his opposite number, is that an influential midfielder is welcomed back into the fold, and possibly the starting eleven, as Robinho is back in training with the rest of the squad. With Martin Petrov suffering yet another injury setback while on International duty, Robinho looks set to start his first game after a lengthy injury lay off and what a game to re announce yourself, although, speculation is rife that he wants out of Eastlands. What’s more, the absence of Martin Petrov will be massive as not only had the Bulgarian been a serious goal threat for City this season, scoring three times, but he is a damn sght better then Robinho on the road. The Brazilian only comes out to play when at home so perhaps the little guy won’t leave Rafa shaking in his boots.

 

 

 

 

Head-to-Head:

 

Liverpool W: 6 Manchester City W: 1 Draws: 3

 

All the money in the world cannot instantly buy you a superior head-to-head record and City will need to start their renovation work at Anfield if they are to turn the result between the two in their favour. Signs are starting to look good though for Mark Hughes and his City side. They may have lost 3-2 at The City of Manchester, at one stage leading the Reds 2-0, but they also did manage to keep Liverpool at arms length when the pair clashed at Anfield last season, drawing 1-1.

  

Unfortunately for City followers, the home defeat to Liverpool will be remember more, and that should spur the City players on to avenge the sour home defeat. However, City haven’t had much luck in recent visits to Anfield, losing on four of their previous five visits to the ‘ Merseyside Cauldron’.

  

Three of Liverpoo’sl last three home successes over Man City have come in the form of 1-0 victories. This does have the makings to be another close, tight affair so perhaps a punt on the same scoreline wouldn’t be a too bad punt in the circumstances.

 

 

 

 

 

Match Verdict:- Liverpool to WIN – 1.95 totesport

 

To be honest, a draw wouldn’t be a bad punt and, considering we haven’t got a Liverpool prediction right in God knows how long, the draw is probably the bet to be on. However, the return of Steven Gerrard is key in our opinion as the Liverpool skipper thrives on these sort of games and moments, moments where Liverpool are backed into a corner and have to win. This is where Gerrard really does come into his own and we reckon he could have one of those games which has defined his glittering career to date. City have become so complacent of late that it’s hard to stick a single penny on them right now. They will be a threat going forward, that goes without saying, but their defence is breach able, Burnley highlighted this two weeks ago, so Liverpool should still have enough up front, dare we say it, to outscore City.

  

We say outscore as we don’t think this will be a narrow 1-0 home win. Liverpool’s defence this season has been a shambles, although they did keep United at arms length last month in a 2-0 win so perhaps they will surprise me there, hopefully.

 

 

 

 

 

Match Odds:

 

Liverpool – 1.95 totesport

Draw – 3.40 SportingBet

Manchester City – 4.30 BetFred

 

 

 

 

 

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Steven Gerrard Anytime Goalscorer – 3.10 Expekt

 

 

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Full-Time: Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City

 

Goalscorer(s): Martin Skrtel, Yossi Benayoun (Liverpool), Emmanuel Adebayor, Stephen Ireland (Manchester City)