English Premier
2010-02-21 - Manchester City vs Liverpool
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Football : England : Premier League
Sunday 21st February 2010 - Kickoff 3pm
Manchester City entertain Liverpool in the all important fight for 4th place. City are 1 point ahead of the Scouse side, with a game and hand, and will be eager to put some more distance between them.
It won't be easy for Maqnchester City against a Liverpool side all too experienced in dealing with pressure.
Manchester City
They might have sacked poor old Hughes, replacing him with the higher profile Mancini, but one thing is clear - Money talks. Manchester City, armed with the bottomless pockets of their rich Arab owners, have gone and done a Chelsea, assembling an expensive squad that is a serious contender for a top 4 finish, well ahead of their early season goal of 7th.
City drew with Stoke 1-1 to move a point ahead of Liverpool, but have a game in hand. After drawing 2-2 away at Anfield, they will be confident of beating Liverpool at home where they are stronger. Indeed, City are still unbeaten at home this season, with 6 successive wins in their last home matches.
There are a few injuries in the squad, as Bellamy and Micah Richards miss out, along with Kompany. Also missing out will be Patrick Vieira, who came into the team at the start of the year to strengthen the midfield. It seems age hasn't taken the fire and passion out of the man and after kicking out at an opponent, he will begin his 3 match ban on Saturday.
The attack will have to rely on Adebayor, the Premiership's highest paid player, as the return of his strike partner Carlos Tevez is delayed. Tevez has missed City's last 2 games as he is in Argentina following the premature birth of his daughter. As her condition is still not stable, he has been granted compassionate leave to remain in South America while she is still in intensive care. Although this is a blow, City will surely get on the scoresheet against a Liverpool side having their most shocking season in many a year.
Liverpool
Liverpool won 3 of 4 games before losing at the Emirates to Arsenal 1-0. That leaves the Anfield side a point behind City and they will be desperate to not let that gap widen this late in the season. A draw here will be an excellent result for Liverpool and I reckon they'll play for that.
Fitness and stamina will be an issue for Liverpool, having played on Thursday. Manchester City will be better rested, their game at Stoke having being played 2 days earlier on Tuesday.
N'Gog, scorer of the winning goal in the Europa League on Thursday, looks set to start again in a lone striker formation, although there is a chance we will see Torres make an appearance later on, especially if the game is still alive. The Spaniard trained this week, and this is certainly good news for Rafa, captain Gerrard and their team.
Defeat to Arsenal aside, Liverpool's form coming into this game is not bad at all, and I reckon they score here against a team that looked quite lethargic against Stoke. A loss here will leave them 4 behind with a possibility of the gap becoming 7.
Rest assured that Liverpool will bust their humps to not let that happen.
THe Betting Verdict :
The reverse fixture ended 2-2 at Anfield earlier this season, so we know both teams can score on each other.
Manchester City always seem to do well at Eastlands, and I would expect them to do the same here after the disappointing draw with Stoke.
Liverpool will, however, be buoyed by the European result, and I'm positive they will get on the scoresheet and grind out something to take back home. A score draw for me here.
The Statistics :
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BEST BETTING TIP :
Both teams to score @ 1.83 (Bet365)Take the match to end in a draw @ 3.30 (Bet365) (main bet)
