Manchester City v Liverpool: Can the Reds shock the City like Sunderland?
Manchester City passed up a golden opportunity to put some clear distance between themselves and Manchester United on New Year's Day. With the champions losing to Blackburn Rovers at home, Roberto Mancini's men could have opened up a three-point gap at the top with victory over Sunderland. Instead Martin O'Neill did Manchester United and Spurs a real favour by sneaking a late, late winner.
Tonight the leaders are back in action against Liverpool and Mancini will be hoping the Etihad can put them back on the right path. Since losing their unbeaten record at Chelsea, the leaders have only managed one win over the festive period - 3-0 v Stoke at home. West Brom held them to a goalless draw and they failed to register against Sunderland as well. The hot shots have been doused in cold water and the Italian must be wondering why the goals have dried up.
Last season City put three past Liverpool in a convincing display at home. The Reds repaid the favour at Anfield and honours were even when they met in November. However, Liverpool enter the game with a rejuvenated Steven Gerrard in their side. The Liverpool captain came on for 30 minutes against Newcastle and changed the game. He looked sharp, fresh, fit and hungry. The Reds have their eyes on Champions League football and if that means helping their old enemy reclaim top spot for the time being then so be it. They need the points and a win here would give everyone at Anfield a real confidence boost.
Games between these two can be tight and tense affairs - four of the last six meetings have ended in a draw - but City will be desperate to find the back of the net again, as will Gerrard and Andy Carroll. In Joe Hart and Pepe Reina, two of the Premier League's top goalkeepers will be on show, but who will come out on top? Our pundits are going with their Harts.
Manchester City v Liverpool; Kick Off 8pm January 3 2012
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Don McMahon |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Blackburn |
Terry Kennedy |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Bolton |
Dave Blackburn |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Liverpool |
Mark Williams |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Man Utd |
Peter Lee |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Newcastle |
Michael Stout |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Norwich City |
Sue Read |
4 |
V |
1 |
|
QPR |
Arjun Swaminathan |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Stoke City |
Philip Eccleston |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Tottenham |
Mike Richards |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Swansea |
Jim White |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Wigan |
Alan Moore |
4 |
V |
2 |
|
Wolves |
Chris Cox |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Phil Bundy |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Matt Turner |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Aston Villa fan |
Lynette Ranson |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Blackpool fan |
Phil Trow |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
Fulham fan |
Russell Goldman |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
West Ham fan |
Matthew Beeby |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
2 |
V |
2 |
Panel Verdict
The leaders are tipped to get back to winning ways.
Home: 27; Draw: 8; Away: 0. TBA 1.
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
