Sunday 14th January 2018
Liverpool v Manchester City 16:00, Sky Sports
After the FA Cup action of last week we return to the Premier League this weekend as we move into week 23.
No Saturday lunchtime game this weekend, but a whole host of Saturday 3pm games, plus Spurs host Everton at Wembley in the early evening Saturday fixture.
However, it’s one of the Sunday games this week that catches the eye as league leaders and firm title favourites Man City make the trip to Liverpool.
Both sides will be buzzing after FA Cup wins last weekend as Liverpool saw off bitter rivals Everton, while Man City came from a goal down to see off Burnley to make it into the fourth round.
City head into week 23 with a 15 point cushion at the top of the table, while Liverpool remain on target for a top four finish – they are currently in fourth, three points ahead of Spurs.
What do the stats say?
The sides met earlier this season and with Man City winning that one 5-0 then Klopp’s Liverpool will be hoping for some revenge here – and the stats suggest they might just get it!
The Reds are actually unbeaten in their last 14 home games against City, with the Merseysiders have also won the last four repeat fixtures – City last beat Liverpool at Anfield in the league in 2003!
With that key stat in Liverpool’s favour then the 3.10 on them winning the game in the match betting market looks decent value, with the draw 3.60 and Man City the clear favourites at 2.15.
Yes, Liverpool lost their star midfielder – Coutinho this month to Barcelona, but have been bolstered at the back with Virgil Van Dijk joining the Reds, while with plenty of cash to spend then Leicester’s Mahrez could also be heading to Anfield to add further strength to their midfield.
Other key head-to-head stats to note are that Man City have in fact NOT scored in the last two repeat fixtures, while 4 of the last 5 clashes went OVER 2.5 GOALS. Three or more goals to be scored in the game cam be backed at just 1.50 though, so little value here. Adding just one more goal and going for the Over 3.5 option might be more tempting at 2.25.
A red card was shown in this season’s previous clash between these sides so there is a chance that might boil over again. However, that was really the main reason that game ended up 5-0 to City so it could be a score line we can draw a line through with Liverpool playing much of the game with just 10 men.
Looking at the main scorers at both clubs then City’s Aguero, with 13 league goals, and Sterling with 14 league goals, are sure to be popular in the scoring markets, while Mo Salah is their top league scorer on 17, but it might be worth checking the team news as the Egyptian hitman has sat out Liverpool’s last two games.
We have seen 4 draws in the last 13 head-to-heads so the 3.60 on this happening again is sure to be popular, but we can’t help going back to the fact Liverpool simply have a fantastic record at home in the league when playing City.
As mentioned, the Reds are unbeaten in their last 14 home league games over City so the 1.72 on either a Liverpool win, or a draw in the ‘Double Chance’ market looks cracking value to us!
Best Bet: LIVERPOOL/DRAW ‘DOUBLE CHANCE’ @1.72
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Sunday 14th January 2018
Liverpool v Manchester City 16:00, Sky Sports
- Already played this season, Man City 5-0 Liverpool
- Last season’s repeat fixture ended, Liverpool 1-0 Man City
- Man City have NOT scored in the last 2 repeat fixtures
- Liverpool are unbeaten at home in the league in their last 14 vs Man City
- Liverpool have won the last 4 repeat fixtures
- Man City last beat Liverpool at Anfield in the league in 2003
- 4 of the last 5 repeat fixtures saw OVER 2.5 GOALS
- This season’s head-to-heads saw a RED CARD (Liverpool)
- 4 DRAWS in the last 13 league head-to-heads