Liverpool and Manchester City are head-to-head in the Premier League title race. Elsewhere, they stand in each other’s way for a place in the FA Cup final, and could still possibly meet in the Champions League final.
Having both booked their spots in the Champions League semi-finals, Manchester City and Liverpool renew hostilities at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Indeed, there’s even a chance football fans could be treated to another game between the two this season, should both manage to reach the Champions League final.
Having already claimed the Carabao Cup this season, Jurgen Klopp is only one trophy from completing the set, while Pep Guardiola is still on course for a treble.
It’s the huge FA Cup semi-final face-off between Manchester City and Liverpool on Saturday. Given that they’ve both made it to this stage, and with the reward for the winners of the match being an appearance in the final, this looks set to be an exciting game of football.
Form Guide: Manchester City
Manchester City were in the wars against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night – Phil Foden’s bandaged head was evidence of that – and Pep Guardiola also lost Kyle Walker to an ankle injury on the night.
Swindon Town, Fulham, Peterborough United, and Southampton have all been no match for Guardiola’s men in this year’s competition, but they have bowed out in the semi-finals two seasons in a row, and the Catalan coach will be wary of the final-four curse striking again.
City have only managed to claim one FA Cup in Guardiola’s tenure so far in 2018-19, but they bring a 10-match unbeaten run in all competitions to Wembley Stadium, which is controversially still hosting the match despite the widespread travel disruption set to impact supporters.
Form Guide: Liverpool
A raft of changes – seven to be exact – for the second-leg clash with Benfica left a portion of Liverpool fans slightly fearful about the prospect of a comeback but the Reds’ first-leg domination saved their bacon after an end-to-end Anfield encounter.
Roberto Firmino’s brace and Ibrahima Konate’s header canceled out strikes from Goncalo Ramos, Roman Yaremchuk, and the in-demand Darwin Nunez in a 3-3 thriller, with the latter also seeing two further strikes ruled out for offside as Liverpool set up a semi-final showdown with giant-killers Villarreal.
How the game could go
Manchester City arguably should have killed the game off against Liverpool early doors last week, but injuries to key players during a clash with Atletico which certainly left its mark undoubtedly hands Liverpool the advantage.
While Guardiola’s first XI left it all out on the Wanda Metropolitano turf, Klopp was able to give a good number of his big-hitters the night off, and the fresh legs of a free-scoring Liverpool side can once again carve their way through the City backline to advance to the final.
Betting Predictions
Liverpool to win
These big games so often come down to small margins and with little to choose between the sides, we are backing Liverpool to edge it? Why? Well, as we say, both are in similar form with three wins and two draws from their respective last five games but Man City has endured a much tougher week than the Reds. Whilst Liverpool could only draw with Benfica the game was a good footballing spectacle played in England. Manchester City had to travel to Spain and spend 90 minutes going at it with a physical Atletico Madrid side. That may well take its toll on City with such a quick turnaround. Bet9ja have 2.78, 1xbet have 2.90 and Paripesa have 2.90 odds.
BTTS (YES)
Our second prediction for Man City vs Liverpool is that we will see both teams score. Last weekend proved that these teams will both go for it when they lock horns and the larger picture provides evidence of that as well. Not only are the two sides the most lethal in the Premier League with 151 goals scored between them but each of the last four head-to-head meetings have seen goals at both ends. There is no reason to expect anything different here. Bet9ja have 1.55 odds, Paripesa have 1.60 and 1xbet have 1.60 odds.
Anytime Goalscorer (Manchester City)
Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez has scored four goals in the last three rounds of this season’s FA Cup. He has been impressive in the competition for this site and it’s only right he gets a nod ahead of other attackers in the squad. He was sure big trouble to Atletico Madrid midweek and he can be the difference here today. Bet9ja have 3.10 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 2.15.
Bernardo Silva
He has been underrated a lot this season and he is arguably the best player in this City side with his immense work rate week in and week out for the squad. In the absence of star player Kevin de Bryune, he would be the one most likely to step up to string the passes and control the game. He has shown to be a prolific goalscorer in previous seasons and he can do that here. Bet9ja have 4.65 odds and Paripesa have 5.00 odds for him to score.
Anytime Goalscorer (Liverpool)
Mane
Sadio Mané has six goal contributions in 14 H2Hs since moving to Liverpool (G5, A1). A very important statistic if you are looking out for who to score in this game. He was also amongst the goalscorers when they met last weekend making this a more fitting option. Bet9ja have 3.65 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 3.44.
Salah
With Diogo Jota being a doubt for today’s game, we are predicting that Salah would be amongst the starting line-up today. He has seen a drop in form in recent weeks and there is no better game to revive the form than this. He has a very good history of scoring against today’s opposition and it seems he would be looking to lead the Liverpool line to the only trophy which has eluded them since they started winning everything again. Bet9ja have 2.85 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 2.48.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
