Liverpool v Manchester City

Sunday 22 February 2009,
Anfield

Kickoff: 15:00

 

Liverpool

Liverpool beat Portsmouth 3-2 at Fratton Park in their last league outing, to win their second successive match and make a run of fourteen games since their last league defeat (2-1 against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane).

They have won seven and drawn seven of their run; taking 28 points from the 42 offered. Liverpool have scored 27 goals and conceded 9 in these matches, as they sit second in the league table.

Liverpool will have to do without Philipp Degan (foot), while Xabi Alonso will also be unavailable due to a one match suspension for collecting 5 yellow cards, but inspirational captain Steven Gerrard (hamstring) could make a surprise return.

Manchester City

Manchester City lost 2-0 against Portsmouth at Fratton Park in their last league outing, making a run of ten away games without a win since beating Sunderland 3-0 at the Stadium of Light.

In their last five matches, Man City have won three and lost two, earning nine points from the fifteen available. They have found the back of the net four times and conceded four goals in these matches, and sit ninth in the league table.

Manchester City will have to do without Dietmar Hamann (ankle), Benjani Mwaruwari (ankle), Martin Petrov (knee) and Micheal Johnson (groin), while Daniel Sturridge (groin) and Gelsen Fernandes (hamstring) are doubts, Micah Richards has a chance and Darius Vassell should be available since picking up a virus.

Shaun Wright-Phillips will be unavailable as he serves the first of a three match FA suspension.

Prediction

Liverpool beat Manchester City 1-0 in this corresponding fixture last season and backed that up with a 3-2 win at the City of Manchester stadium earlier this season.

Man City will have had less preparation after their UEFA Cup match away against Danish side FC Copenhagen on Thursday, giving The Reds an advantage.
Also Manchester City’s poor run away from home, having lost six and drawn four of their last ten away games, will see them enter this game low on confidence and with several important players absent due to injury and suspension, they will find it even more difficult.

Liverpool are not on their best form of the season and the possible absence of Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso at the same time will mean they will probably need to find inspiration from Fernando Torres and their home crowd to be at their best.

The Reds have dropped several points at home recently and if Man City can get the ball to Robinho, he, along with Steven Ireland, could cause an upset; however, this is unlikely as Liverpool will be comfortable favourites in this encounter.

Read the complete Liverpool vs Manchester City preview with betting odds at Sports Betting Review.

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