Analysis: Liverpool - Manchester City, odds and tips

On Wednesday Liverpool will play a revenge match against Manchester City. Will they be able to eliminate Citizens from the Carling Cup after having fallen out from the FA Cup?

Classifications and team condition:

The first match between these teams took place at Etihad Stadium in Manchester. The Citizens very unexpectedly lost to Liverpool (0:1). The winning goal was scored by the team’s captain Steven Gerrard from penalty on the 13th minute of the match.

Potential and team situation:
For Liverpool the Carling Cup can be the only trophy which they may win this season. Kenny Dalglish’s players do not have any chances to win the Championship of England and they have to meet with Manchester United in the FA Cup; that is why it is hard to talk about victory. It seems that they can only fight for the FA Cup moreover their potential opponent in the final will be a team from the club pair – Championship Cardiff or Crystal Palace. Manchester City has already fallen out from competition for the European cup and the FA Cup; at the moment Roberto Mancini’s players’ main aim is the fight for champion’s title. Of course the guests won’t back off in this match but considering their weakened lineup due to leaving of footballers to the African Cup of Nations and the fact that two days ago they had a very difficult match against Totenham their chances for victory are decreasing.

History of meetings:
The last 5 matches between Liverpool and Manchester City ended up with 2 wins of each team and 1 draw. The Citizens haven’t been winning at Anfield Road since the season of 2002/2003.

Tips and grounds:
Liverpool has to concentrate on the game in defense, to put quick counter attacks into effect. Manchester City will trouble their opponent in a positional attack. The hosts will play without Suarez, the guests without Toure and Kompany. We think that the variant of under 2.5 will be ideal.