Manchester City will host Liverpool in one of the most important games of the season for all, City, Liverpool, and Arsenal. The Sky Blues currently trail Arsenal by eight points in the Premier League while Liverpool are in the race to secure a top-four spot. This match is important in the title race context and could also shape up the top four race.
It is a must-win game for both these teams on Saturday but there can be only one winner while a draw is likely to do more harm than good. For City, it will be about maximizing their extra game in hand while for Liverpool, it will be about getting a string of good results together ahead of their tricky set of upcoming games.
Paul Merson
Paul Merson on Sportskeeda has backed the hosts to bag all three points in this crucial fixture while acknowledging that any slip-up here would be costly for Pep Guardiola’s side. A victory will see Manchester City maintain pressure on Arsenal, who will still lead by five points.
"I would be shocked if Erling Haaland isn't fit for this game - he pulled out of the international break. I don't know which Liverpool are going to turn up, and I'm backing Man City to win a massive three points this weekend."
Paul Merson’s prediction: 2-0 Manchester City
Mark Lawrenson
Mark Lawrenson on Paddy Power has gone for a safer option in a modest 1-1 draw that will not be of much use to anyone, as per him. Lawrenson has reckoned that the potential absence of Erling Haaland and Phil Foden will help Jurgen Klopp’s men secure a point away from home. He has, however, has warned that City will be all over Liverpool if they fail to improve their defence.
"It looks as though Erling Haaland probably won’t play and Phil Foden’s definitely out which obviously makes it easier for Liverpool but we don’t know which Liverpool will turn up. Because of that, I’m going to go for a draw.”
"I think it might be a low-scoring draw that won’t be much use to anybody."
Mark Lawrenson’s prediction: 1-1
Chris Sutton
Chris Sutton on BBC, like Merson, has backed Manchester City to wrap up the fixture comfortably by a 3-1 margin. He has also warned that a potential slip-up will be costly for the hosts while calling out Klopp’s high defensive line, which has been caught out on numerous occasions this season.
"Their (Liverpool) high defensive line has been found out plenty of times this season and they are so inconsistent that I just don't trust them to hold out. I fancy City strongly in this one."
Chris Sutton’s prediction: 3-1 Manchester City
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