Match Preview: City Vs Liverpool

In recent times, Manchester City vs Liverpool has always favoured the home side. City have won the last two fixtures at home convincingly beating Liverpool 3-0 in each of the last two years. One of those games was the first and still only game, Sheikh Mansour has attended since his arrival as City owner in August 2008. 

James Milner scoring against Liverpool last Season

Despite the set back in mid week against Queens Park Rangers', City's form since the Manchester Derby has been more than title contention form. With one defeat and one draw since the Derby defeat to United, City still remain the only side in English football to have not conceded a goal since the turn of the year. Norwich Right-back Russell Martin was the last man to concede a goal against the Champions way back on December 29th. 

With the departure of charismatic figure Mario Balotelli on Wednesday, City now will have only three fit first team strikers to choose from now til the end of the season. Young starlet John Guidetti still remains sidelined with a viral condition to his leg which he has been suffering with all season. However, all three fit strikers still should be well capable of causing damage to a Liverpool defence weakened since the falling out of defender Martin Skrtel and manager Brendan Rodgers.

Liverpool go into the game in some pretty reasonable form. The partnership of new signing and ex City player Daniel Sturridge and goal machine Luis Suarez will give the City defensive coaches a lot to think of ahead of Sunday's clash. Liverpool's new boy Philippe Coutinho is highly unlikely to start the game for the former European champions confirmed Brendan Rodgers. With the form of young prodigy, Raheem Sterling, dropped drastically, it really is the form of Suarez that will cause the most problems to City's injury stricken defence.

City have almost a full strength team to choose from bar the exception of skipper Vincent Kompany. Majita Nastasic is expected to return to the fold, after the young Serbian defender picked up a niggling injury that has been occurring regularly enough this season. Going forward, City have no injury problems, however they are without both Mario Balotelli and a Frenchman that seems to be only available in presence only. 

Predicted Team:

Prediction: City 3 Liverpool 1. I really do expect a backlash from City's frustrating night in West London last Tuesday. With City at home, City will attack with their usual flair and comfort. However, I can see City's defence record being broken simply down to the form of Suarez but feel City will have too much going forward.