Rob Eddy’s picks for Sunday’s huge Premier League clash include a surprise win for the hosts with a winger making a big impact.
The Premier League title appeared destined for Anfield a few weeks ago but two draws in their last three games has left Liverpool looking nervously over their shoulders.
The visitors head to defending champions Manchester City on Sunday in another tough test for Arne Slot’s league leaders. The trophy won’t be heading to Manchester at the end of the season but City have a top-four fight to focus on, and they come into this game seeking a response after seeing their European hopes ended by Real Madrid in midweek.
Liverpool are the favourites in the football betting in the latest meeting of two sides who have had some epic matches in recent years.
Man City v Liverpool tips
Manchester City to win @ 9/5
Sávinho to score or assist @ 6/4
Under 4.5 cards @ 4/6
City can dent Liverpool’s title charge
Manchester City are 17 points adrift of Liverpool and their own title hopes are effectively over, but they can have their say in this year’s race regardless by denying the Reds any points on Sunday.
Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on Wednesday and could have ended up pointless in that game had Jacob Ramsey not seen a goal ruled out for offside late on. The Merseyside outfit’s away form has been the problem in recent weeks and they have won just two of their last eight games on the road across all competitions.
There is less pressure on City coming into this game even if their form and individual performances are being heavily scrutinised. At home, their performances have been fairly solid with five wins in their last six games and they put in an assured display to thrash a good Newcastle team 4-0 in their last league home game.
City may know their title hopes are essentially dead and buried but they would clearly love to get one over on Liverpool, and that may provide the extra motivation they need to respond to their European exit by taking down the pacesetters this weekend.
Savinho could be City’s danger man
Erling Haaland was left on the bench in Madrid after picking up a knee issue in the win over Newcastle.
City’s Norwegian striker remains a doubt for Liverpool’s visit so they may need to look elsewhere for goals and Savinho stands out as a candidate who could either grab one himself or provide for a team-mate.
The Brazilian has recorded an assist in each of his last two league games and has one goal in his last six appearances across all competitions.
Savinho only has one goal to his name in the league this season but is averaging 2.1 shots per game. He also has seven assists, and combining key passes, crosses, long balls and through balls he averages 3.3 per-game. That sort of attacking output suggests he can be a threat against Liverpool.Â
Under 4.5 cards likely
City pick up on average 1.76 yellow cards per-game, only Brentford have received fewer, and Liverpool have been fairly well behaved as well with an average of exactly two per game.
Despite the intense rivalry between these sides, there have been fewer than five cards dished out in total in each of the last five meetings so that pattern may well continue.