Manchester City vs Liverpool EPL Soccer Betting Pick & Prediction

Manchester City bring their 30-match unbeaten streak in English Premier League play to Anfield on Sunday, as they prepare to take on Liverpool. The Reds have not lost at home to City in their last 14 fixtures, so unless there is a draw, one of these two lengthy streaks will come to an end. City won at home in September, giving Liverpool a 5-0 drubbing, so the Reds will be looking for revenge in this reverse fixture. Liverpool saw playmaker Philippe Coutinho leave for Barcelona for a huge contract a week ago, but Virgil van Dijk will make his first EPL appearance for Liverpool and attempt to fill that huge hole in the roster. Check out our soccer betting odds preview for this match before you commit to any wagers.

Manchester City vs Liverpool EPL Soccer Betting Pick & Prediction

There was good news on @gabrieljesus33 at Pep’s #lfcvcity press conference! #ManCity https://t.co/cTF2agES8x

— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 12, 2018

When: Sunday, January 14, 2018, 11:00am EST Where: Anfield Stadium TV: NBC Sports Radio: None Live Stream: NBCSports.com EPL Soccer Betting Odds: TBA

Why should you bet on Manchester City?

Striker Sergio Aguero loves to face Liverpool — with six goals in eleven games, he has more tallies against the Reds than anyone else on the City roster. If he can find the back of the net, it will be his first goal against Liverpool at Anfield. City only has a couple of key injuries, with Gabriel Jesus (knee ligament) still on the shelf for a couple more weeks, and with captain Vincent Kompany (calf strain) still out as well. The City defense has been particularly stingy as of late, as they have posted clean sheets in four of their last six games. Given that both sides are clamping on the defense, goals will likely come at a premium. The fact that City has not lost one of their major attackers (as Liverpool has, as you will see below) represents an advantage for the Blues, as they will have less offensive deficit to fill. However, that lengthy streak at Anfield without a win could pose a mental challenge as well.

Why should you put your money on Liverpool?

Virgil van Dijk took the field for Liverpool in their FA Cup third-round match with Everton last Friday, and he paid dividends right away, scoring the winning goal late in the second half to help the Reds advance. Mohamed Salah, who has missed time with a groin injury, is back to full health and will bring firepower up front. However, captain Jordan Henderson (hamstring), striker Daniel Sturridge (hamstring) and left-back Alberto Moreno (ankle) will still be on the shelf for Liverpool in this match. Right-back Nathaniel Clyne (back) will also miss the action and still lacks a timetable for his return. Defense has been a strength for Liverpool as of late, as they have permitted just four goals in their last 13 fixtures at home in EPL play. They have won seven of those matches, and they have posted nine clean sheets in that run. They are looking to win their fourth straight EPL game, a feat that they have not accomplished since December 2016. The team they beat to run that streak to four games? Manchester City. There is also the home field factor — as well as the desire to atone for that rout that Liverpool suffered at City.

Expert Soccer Betting Pick and Final Score Prediction

In the last nine meetings between these two sides, they have only drawn once. I do expect Liverpool to emphasize defense given the five goals they surrendered in the first meeting. With that emphasis, you may see both sides daring the other to attack, which should result in a low-scoring affair. With City nursing a 15-point lead in the EPL standings over the next team in the table, it doesn’t make sense for them to gamble at the chance of leaving Anfield without at least a point for the draw, though. I predict a final score of Liverpool 1, Manchester City 1.