The Premier League features a massive fixture between two of its best teams this weekend as Manchester City lock horns with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side in a crucial encounter at Anfield on Sunday.
Liverpool vs Manchester City Preview
Manchester City are currently in second place in the Premier League standings and have shown marked improvement in recent weeks. The Cityzens eased past FC Copenhagen by a comfortable 3-1 margin in their previous game and will look to achieve a similar result this weekend.Liverpool, on the other hand, are at the top of the league table at the moment and have been in exceptional form this season. The Merseyside outfit thrashed Sparta Praha by a 5-1 margin in the Europa League this week and will be confident ahead of this fixture.
Liverpool vs Manchester City Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
Liverpool have an impressive historical record against Manchester City and have won 108 out of the 225 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Manchester City’s 60 victories.
Liverpool have lost only one of their last 20 matches at home against Manchester City in the Premier League, with their only such defeat during this period coming by a 4-1 margin in 2021.
Only two of the last 30 matches played out between Liverpool and Manchester City have produced a victory for the away side, with 12 of these games ending in draws.
Liverpool have picked up a total of 22 points from losing positions in the Premier League so far this season – more than any other team in the competition.
Since their 4-1 defeat against Manchester City last season, Liverpool have picked up more points than any other team in the Premier League.
Liverpool vs Manchester City Prediction
Liverpool have been consistently impressive this season and will be intent on maintaining their formidable run. With Manchester City hot on their heels in the title race, the hosts will look to hand their rivals a decisive blow this weekend.Manchester City have come into their own this season but face a daunting task on Sunday. Both teams are evenly matched at the moment and could play out a draw in this match.Prediction: Liverpool 3-3 Manchester City
Liverpool vs Manchester City Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result – DrawTip 2: Game to have over 2.5 goals – YesTip 3: Manchester City to score first – YesTip 4: Darwin Nunez to score – Yes
Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith has hailed Arsenal superstar Bukayo Saka and insisted that the English winger is world-class.Saka, 22, is enjoying yet another stellar season with the Gunners after being named the PFA Young Player of the Year last season. He’s bagged 16 goals and 15 assists in 35 games across competitions.
The Hale End academy graduate has played a crucial role in Arsenal’s title challenge. He’s one of the first names on Mikel Arteta’s teamsheet and his speed, agility, and dribbling abilities have wowed fans season after season.A Reddit user asked Smith whether he thought Saka was world-class. The former Gunners striker gave a defiant response:
“How do you define world class? He’ll do for me!”
Bukayo Saka made his senior debut for Arsenal in November 2018 aged 17 in a 3-0 win against Vorskla Poltava in the UEFA Europa League. He’s since appeared 214 times across competitions, registering 54 goals and 55 assists.Smith’s comments come after Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand refuted suggestions Saka was world-class. He said:
“What is world-class? He hasn’t done it in the Champions League, has he? I’m talking in the nitty-gritty stages. Saka’s top, don’t get me wrong. He’s not world-class yet.”
Saka could make Ferdinand eat his words if he helps Arsenal win the Champions League for the first time in their history. He’s impressed in his debut campaign in Europe’s elite club competition with three goals and four assists in six games.However, the Gunners need to turn around a 1-0 aggregate deficit in their last 16 tie with FC Porto. The second leg takes place on Tuesday (March 12) at the Emirates.
Arteta was asked about the debate that has ensued following Ferdinand’s claim that Bukayo Saka isn’t world-class yet. The Spanish coach took the opportunity to laud his attacker (via The Mirror):
“You can analyze just the attacking stats, the goals or assists and then make a judgement – and that’s it! But his overall play, overall contribution, his numbers and the way he was affecting the game was still high.”
Saka endured somewhat of a difficult December spell in terms of form. He went league games without a goal contribution and the north Londoners suffered two defeats and one draw.Arteta touched on Saka’s improvement since that frustrating spell:
“Is he now more efficient (than couple of months ago)? The answer is yes. The impact he’s had in the last seven or eight games has been really good. I’m really happy.”
Saka has bagged eight goals and three assists in his last eight outings, including two braces. He’s one of the Premier League’s in-form attackers heading into the latter stages of the season.
