This Sunday brings us one of the most anticipated matches in Premier League history. Man City take on Liverpool at Anfield, and the world will be watching to see how the Manchester City players respond following the verdict in their financial breaches case.
The blue side of Manchester are surely looking back in anger right now.
It does amuse me slightly though how supporters of other clubs are taking the moral high ground over this outcome.
My knowledge of the case is limited, mainly because I find the whole thing a bit tedious, but I find it difficult to believe that Manchester City are the only club looking for ways to operate within — or around — the rules. Perhaps not to the same extent, or over such a long period, but football is a hugely competitive business and where there are rules, there will always be people looking for ways to gain an advantage.
Hopefully, this case will serve as a catalyst for getting things in place to prevent this happening in future. At the very least, we need a system where potential wrongdoing can be identified and dealt with far more quickly than it has been in this particular case.
Liverpool and City both come into the match unbeaten in their first 5 Premier League games, but City have maximum points from 5 wins, while Liverpool have won 2 and drawn the other 3. City are firing on all cylinders and have scored more than double the number of goals Liverpool have.
After 5 matches last season, City only had 7 points, with just 2 wins from their first 5 matches. They had also scored just 9 goals, which is 4 fewer than this season’s total so far. Their start this season has been a huge improvement.
City don’t seem to be missing Pep much at all, and their performances under Maresca have certainly given the impression that they are playing with plenty of freedom.
In team news, City are without Foden but, other than that, have no major injury concerns. Liverpool, on the other hand, are still without Ekitiké, Gakpo has an ankle injury, and crucially, Liverpool could be without Isak, who has a thigh problem.
City have also won their last 3 games against Liverpool, so there is plenty to like about their chances heading into this one.
Rarely is a bet straightforward for me, but at 6/4 I think City look good for the away win. I actually expected them to be closer to even money, and I think there is a bit of value in the City win for our Best Value Bet.
I know that the atmosphere is going to be hostile because of the guilty verdict but I don’t think that will faze City. If England could cope with the Mexican crowd at the Azteca, then I’m sure City can cope with a few angry scousers hurling abuse.
Sometimes football matches can be a welcome distraction from off the field affairs.
In terms of our Fun Longshot Wager, I like the look of City in the correct-score market. Although I think City will win, Liverpool will surely make it competitive at home.
Man City actually beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield last season, and at odds of 10/1, I think a repeat of that scoreline is worth a punt.
BVB → Man City win at 6/4 with Bet365
FLW → Man City to win 2-1 in the correct-score market at 10/1 with Bet365
Odds correct at time of publication.
