The Big Match: Man City v Liverpool stats, team news, prediction & TV channel

Premier League: Manchester City v Liverpool

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event, 4.30pm Sunday

Match odds

Manchester City 21-20, Liverpool 13-5, draw 13-5

Form

Liverpool have won ten Premier League games in a row while Manchester City were beaten by Tottenham in February and drew with Crystal Palace in March to allow the Reds to narrow the gap between the two teams to a point.

Both sides were winners in their Champions League ties on Tuesday, although City take a potentially delicate 1-0 lead to Madrid for next week’s second leg against Atletico.

Team news

Fabinho should be fit after picking up a head injury at the end of Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Benfica.

Trent Alexander-Arnold came through 88 minutes unscathed after his hamstring problem. Ruben Dias and Cole Palmer are long-term absentees for Man City.

The tactical battle

Phil Foden was Man City’s most dangerous player from the left flank in the first game between these two this season, causing right-back James Milner a whole host of difficulties.

Jack Grealish played as the false nine but struggled to influence the game so it will be interesting to see if Pep Guardiola switches the pair or sticks with what worked last time.

The Spaniard has also sometimes opted to use Kevin De Bruyne up front in big games and go for more solidity in midfield.

Liverpool are likely to line up with the same front three as that day - Mo Salah, Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane - but the return of Trent Alexander-Arnold is a major plus. He leads the league in assists and is hugely influential to the Reds.

Salah has been uncharacteristically quiet in recent weeks but scored a wonder goal in the reverse fixture so may come alive here.

City have done well to cope without defensive stalwart Ruben Dias but his departure may be felt against the dynamic Liverpool attack.

Verdict

Liverpool don’t have a great recent record in this fixture but could hardly be in better form, winning their last ten Premier League games and conceding just two goals in the process.

The Reds are the top scorers in the league and will have a fully fit Trent Alexander-Arnold pulling the strings. Their dynamic forward line are hard to shut out and this could well be another high-scoring game.

Manchester City have been caught out at times on the counter attack this season and Liverpool may look to exploit that. The injury to Ruben Dias has not been a major issue for the home team but they could miss him in this blockbuster.

Liverpool are taken to edge a close game 2-1 and take control of the title race.

Key stats

• Manchester City have lost just one of the last eight meetings between the two sides
• Both teams have scored in six of the last seven games between the two teams
• Liverpool have conceded two goals in their last ten Premier League games, all wins

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