Man City v Liverpool, Tuesday at 8pm

Jesus Wept

Team News

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli could return after missing the defeat at Sunderland with an ankle problem.
Manager Roberto Mancini has no new injury concerns ahead of City's second game in three days.

Striker Luis Suarez is expected to return to Liverpool's starting line-up after a one-match ban.
Captain Steven Gerrard could be in contention to start after two substitute appearances since his comeback from an ankle infection.


Match Preview

As the Christmas lights start to lose their twinkle, is Manchester City's shining star starting to dim?

They're wobbling away and now their fortress home faces a stiff examination. City were majestic at Eastlands throughout 2011, claiming 52 points from a possible 54. But Liverpool have the pedigree to become the first side since Fulham picked up a point on 27 February to take anything away from there.

Craig Bellamy could be the key and has a point to prove to Mancini who showed him the door.
Kenny Dalglish's side has lost once in 14 league games and boasts the most improved defence in the top six. An unchanged back five for the last 10 league games has helped galvanise and solidify. They've conceded just five goals in this spell.

They also have a good record against City, who've beaten them just once in 13 meetings. The return of Steven Gerrard is untimely as well for the no longer invincible league leaders. He's hit the winner three times against them in recent years.

Sides have learned how to stop Roberto Mancini's men playing with the fluency of the first three months of the season. When chances have come, they haven't been put away with the clinical regularity we saw in those sunshine days.

Mario Balotelli remains a Pandora's Box of a footballer. Edin Dzeko has gone off the boil. The toil of 60 games in 2011 has caught up with one or two of them. They've also have two days less than Liverpool to prepare for this.

It will really shake up the whole title race if City lose again. A slight tremor will become a major wobble.

Craig Bellamy could be the key and has a point to prove to Mancini who showed him the door. Andy Carroll can also be a real physical threat for Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott.

City have all the class in the world and shouldn't be beaten. But what if they are? Nerves will really begin to twang and what a title race we'll have then!


Match Facts

Head-to-head
• Manchester City beat Liverpool 3-0 last season, but that is their only victory in 13 games against the Reds.
• Liverpool have recorded 80 league wins in this fixture, Manchester City 41 victories, with 41 draws.


Manchester City
• City have won all nine of their Premier League fixtures at Eastlands this season, averaging over three goals per match.
• They claimed 52 Premier League points out of a possible 54 on home turf in 2011. The only team to leave City with a point was Fulham, who drew 1-1 on 27 February.
• City have failed to score in their last two league games.
• Gareth Barry is set to make his 450th career Premier League appearance.

Liverpool
• Kenny Dalglish's side have only lost one of their last 14 league games (away to Fulham).
• The Reds have only conceded two goals in their last six away Premier League matches (scored by Fulham's Clint Dempsey and Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge).
• They have taken 16 points from their nine games on the road this season - they took only five points from their first nine away matches last term.
• Jose Enrique is Liverpool's only remaining outfield player, who has been on the field for every minute of their Premier League games this season.






I'm plumping for 0-1.

ShamoBuc

Hard to know what way this one is going to go. Pool don't concede much and City have being dropping points recently.
I would gladly take a draw now, but I've a feeling we could catch them for all 3.

Le King

This is the sexier of the two threads...

Not sure on this. Liverpool should of won the last encounter.

Will go for a Liverpool win.

Might have a pop at a wincast with Gerrard @ 20/1 too.

Jesus Wept

Floodlight failure due to Asian betting ring

Enricky bringing the sexC.

kryogen

Draw

Hard to see past a home win, but you never know! Come on the pool!!! (off for a shower now)

M5

Draw

The options should be:

Liverpool win (Liverpool fan)
Liverpool win (others)
etc....

kryogen

Draw

M5 wrote: »

The options should be:

Liverpool win (Liverpool fan)
Liverpool win (others)
etc....

why?

what difference does it actually make like

The_Kew_Tour

1-1 for me.

Could be cracker.

M5

Draw

kryogen wrote: »

why?

what difference does it actually make like

Im sure a far higher percentage of pool fans feel they will win than neutrals fan. (this applies to all clubs really). Also there is a huge Liverpool support in comparison with other clubs (bar maybe Man U) on the forum so the poll will obviously be massively skewed

Jesus Wept

Floodlight failure due to Asian betting ring

Most match threads have no poll (state of them) so it doesn't really matter. It's just for kicks.

michael999999

Floodlight failure due to Asian betting ring

2-1 to Liverpool.

Gerrard and Carroll.

Xavi6

6-0 City, in Bobby we trust :cool:

Blatter

Draw

City win, unfortunately. Their home form has been immaculate the past 12 months.

Although the fact that Liverpool last played two days before City did, does give them some hope, albeit Mancini did rest Silva, Aguero, Milner, Richards and Clichy against Sunderland, so they should be relatively fresh. Still, Liverpool have had 48 hours more preparation time for the game which is an advantage that is often overlooked.

Mikeyt086

Liverpool win

Off topic: The_Rigger, the ball in your avatar has been the most powerful nostalgia hit i've taken in a long time. LOVED that piece of crap.

On topic: Come on the Pool, continue this beautiful trend of taking points off our rivals and then limping to draws against the basement boys thus preventing a title challenge. Hoping for a seriously cracking game.

DOC09UNAM

Floodlight failure due to Asian betting ring

M5 wrote: »

Im sure a far higher percentage of pool fans feel they will win than neutrals fan. (this applies to all clubs really). Also there is a huge Liverpool support in comparison with other clubs (bar maybe Man U) on the forum so the poll will obviously be massively skewed

You can never underestimate Liverpool in a match like this.


Considering they are a bit off the pace at the moment, they won't be giving a fúck if they help United by beating them.

Once and one time only, come on gerrard to fúck.

Revolution9

DOC09UNAM wrote: »

come on gerrard to fúck.

A better strategy would be to f*ck Gerrard to come, altough I'm not sure if he'd consent tbh.

Liverpool will probably do better on this one today without Suarez

M5

Draw

DOC09UNAM wrote: »

You can never underestimate Liverpool in a match like this.


Considering they are a bit off the pace at the moment, they won't be giving a fúck if they help United by beating them.

Once and one time only, come on gerrard to fúck.

I'm not, I fancy man city to win but I couldn't rule out Liverpool, I'll not be betting on it for sure.

That was not my point though, just an observation on the poll as opposed to the game

SEPT 23 1989

Draw

The Mad Man and Silva to start

City win

Giggsy11

Draw

Think City will win this one, they have very good home record. But then again Liverpool have done very well against big teams (Bar Spurs) so will be hoping for at least a draw.

double GG

Floodlight failure due to Asian betting ring

City haven't scored in their last two games.
City haven't won a game in 2012 yet.
Bobby Zamora has scored more goals in 2012 than the entire City team together.

Come on the Pool.

That_Guy

Gerrard to get man of the match. I'd put my bloody house on it.

doc_17

Floodlight failure due to Asian betting ring

I'd say Gerrard might start on the bench again.....hope not though

Liverpoool and Utd fans unite for one night only

City top class at home and will be hard to get anything. Liverpool play decent stuff away from home though, although a game tonight is where Lucas will be badly missed.

I'm gonna say 1-1.

daveyboy_1ie

Liverpool win

Be interesting to see how City react to their set back. Looking forward to this one, I am going for a 2-2 with Carroll to get one. And yes, I am putting my money where my mouth is

doc_17

Floodlight failure due to Asian betting ring

I think I might extend the new year festivities for one more night and go out and watch this one and enjoy a few pints!

NinjaK

Draw

I think City will win, 2-1 my prediction

danniemcq

Floodlight failure due to Asian betting ring

6-0 to Liverpool,

up to 4th then.....

delusional? me? never!

MagicMarker

If Stevie G starts then I'd fancy Liverpool to get a result.

Crazy Horse 6

Draw

That_Guy wrote: »

Gerrard to get man of the match. I'd put my bloody house on it.

Your still bitter over that are'nt you.;)

missingtime

Think we will go with this:

---

Reina

---

--Johnson---Skrtel---Agger---Enrique--

--Henderson----Spearing----adam----

----Kuyt

---

Suarez

---

Maxi---

Gerrard, Carroll and Belamy to come off the bench for Hendo, Kuyt and Maxi.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Liverpool win

Score draw. City aren't as poor as some are suggesting but I still fancy Liverpool to take a point away with them.

Corvo

Liverpool will be better prepared, and always step up their game against these sides.

I'm backing Gerrard to do well, possibly even boss the game.

JimsAlterEgo

Would have fancied pool more if City hadn't lost the last game. If city go attacking I fear for pool without Lucas.

Blackhorse Slim

Liverpool win

I think Gerrard is ready to start, although he probably won't last the full 90. A midfield three of Spearing, Adam and Gerrard should be enough to stop City dominating, with Suarez up front causing problems and holding the ball up for Gerrard and Bellamy/Downing (or whoever is out wide). But a more interesting call by Dalglish might be to play Henderson in the middle with Spearing and Adam, with Gerrard playing wide right and Bellamy or Downing on the left.

The key is to stop Silva getting good possession, and that means playing three in the middle with Spearing the main man to stop Silva getting the ball.

Should be a good game, I'll go with 2-2.

Sgt Pepper 64

Draw

Easy win for City, they wont "rest" players this time

Leiva

Blackhorse Slim wrote: »

I think Gerrard is ready to start, although he probably won't last the full 90. A midfield three of Spearing, Adam and Gerrard should be enough to stop City dominating, with Suarez up front causing problems and holding the ball up for Gerrard and Bellamy/Downing (or whoever is out wide). But a more interesting call by Dalglish might be to play Henderson in the middle with Spearing and Adam, with Gerrard playing wide right and Bellamy or Downing on the left.

The key is to stop Silva getting good possession, and that means playing three in the middle with Spearing the main man to stop Silva getting the ball.

Should be a good game, I'll go with 2-2.

^^this^^

Lucas was a beast against him last game and will be a big loss , but if we get amongst them and dont sit back im confident of a minimum 1 point .

Easy win for City, they wont "rest" players this time

Who was rested last game ?

xtal191

Draw

7-2 to City, Suarez and Gerrard to get sent off for fighting with each other. Silva, Kompany and Hart to get injured and be out for the season.

mixednuts

Draw

mixednuts wrote: »

Who was rested last game ?

Silva, Aguero, Richards(although it could be said that he is coming back from injury still) and Balotelli could be back

Sgt Pepper 64

Draw

mixednuts wrote: »

Who was rested last game ?

Silva and Aquergo didnt come on until the second half
Mario Balo wasnt even on the bench (ankle injury?)

SlickRic

Gerrard is vital tonight.

i'm telling you, in his older age, he could be just the kind of CM we need, seen as he probably won't have the energy to be all sorts of places he shouldn't be.

saying that, i'd love to see him at RM/free-role if Carroll plays.

he has to be CM to give Adam a break if Carroll doesn't start.

Suarez is out of my FF a couple of weeks now, so he's nailed on to get a brace. you can thank me later.



2-2.

JerryHandbag

Liverpool win

A dramatic 2-2 with all goals coming in the last 15 mins, and Martin Tyler to scream even louder than on Sunday!*

*if he's commentating

PHB

I think Liverpool could nick it, if they can set out with a high tempo at the start. City should be dis-heartened after ****ing up, and only had 2 days rest, compared to Liverpools 3. Beyond that, City have looked much worse as ana ttacking force since Silva has gone off the boil, and that's largely, imo, due to him not being rested at all. Since he played again for 45 minutes because he had to, he's still not going to be rested enough to be at his best.

Obviously I want a Liverpool win, but just having watched them in teh past few weeks, this might finally be the game .... that Andy Carroll delivers!

Hopeful or Crazy? I'm looking forward to finding out!

Mr Alan

Would be a lot more confident if Lucas was in the side

Nalz

Draw

2-1 City I'd say

Could easily go either way but hard to look past the quality City have along with their home record.

Toure, Ageuro and Kuyt to score!

osnola ibax

Gone for Bellers to score in 90 mins, Liverpool win 17/2

kincsem

Liverpool win

0-0

Too much plum pudding will slow the players.

Handsome Bob

Carroll to score another brace.

double GG

Floodlight failure due to Asian betting ring

Gerrard to score a ping from 30 yards. Oh how I miss his long range goals.

Turtyturd

Would take a draw tonight but I am not optimistic. Said it in the Liverpool thread but the key area will be Spearing/Silva, I think Silva will run riot there and wouldn't be surprised to see Spearing sent off. I hope Luis is back to the snarling, snappy player after the watered down smiling version that played against Wigan and Blackburn.

Anything picked up here tonight will be a bonus and worst case scenario is being 3 points off 4th after the game...and still having Chelsea and Arsenal to play, I'll be happy with that.

Kess73

Liverpool win

Would be happy with a point tonight. City are a powerhouse of a team at home, and taking anything from them there is a good result in my eyes.