Manchester City vs Liverpool Prediction and Betting Tips: Will EFL Cup Euphoria Be Enough To Propel City Past Beleaguered Reds In FA Cup Clash?

It’s been a joyous fortnight for City, who head into this game full of confidence after beating Arsenal in the EFL final before the international break. Pep Guardiola’s men will be pushing for a domestic treble this season, and they will certainly fancy their chances against Liverpool at home.

Liverpool were beaten by Manchester City twice in the Premier League this season, and this will be a massive challenge for them in the game against their greatest modern-day rivals. The Reds have endured a difficult season thus far, and they have not been at their best.

Manchester City are certainly the better team and in better form. At home, the Citizens have been formidable, and they have not lost to an English team at the Etihad since the defeat to Tottenham in August.

Also, Liverpool have only reached the FA Cup semi-finals once in the last decade. So, to say Arne Slot’s men face a tall order this weekend is a bit of an understatement.

*Odds sourced from SportyBet and are correct at the time of publishing. Always gamble responsibly.

City have won their last three games, scoring 10 goals and conceding less than one goal apiece. Buoyed by the EFL Cup final win over Arsenal, they’re on a six-game winning streak at home, scoring 19 goals while keeping three clean sheets, and are strong favourites.

Eighteen of the last 19 meetings between Man City and Liverpool have produced two or more goals, so expect another entertaining contest between these familiar foes to be in store this weekend.

Haaland has contributed to three goals (two goals, one assist) in his last two appearances against Liverpool and has also netted nine times in 11 FA Cup outings. The Norwegian is expected to lead the line for City and could be joined in attack by Antoine Semenyo.

The 25-year-old will look to create opportunities for his teammates and find the back of the net as well. While he hasn’t been as consistent as his usual self, Liverpool will need to keep him quiet if they want to get a good result here.

Manchester City: (4-3-3)

Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Bernardo, Rodri, O’Reilly; Semenyo, Haaland, Cherki

Liverpool: (4-2-3-1)

Mamardashvili; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike

Man City defender Josko Gvardiol (tibial fracture) remains in the treatment room, while John Stones (calf) and Ruben Dias (hamstring) will be assessed ahead of kickoff.

Marc Guehi was ineligible for the EFL Cup final, but he will no doubt start in defence this weekend alongside either Dias, if fit, Abdukodir Khusanov or Nathan Ake, while James Trafford is expected to begin in goal ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Thanks to his EFL Cup final heroics, Guardiola might decide to leave O’Reilly in midfield to link up with captain Bernado Silva and Rodri, with Rayan Ait-Nouri starting at left-back.

As for Liverpool, Alisson Becker (muscle), Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni (both knee) and Wataru Endo (ankle) all remain out with injuries, while Jeremie Frimpong will be assessed after picking up an unspecified problem on international duty with the Netherlands.

Alexander Isak has made a welcome return to training this week after more than three months out with a broken leg, but Saturday’s game may come too soon for the striker. Hugo Ekitike is expected to start up front regardless of Isak’s availability.