Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola only has two injury concerns for this weekend’s marquee match against Liverpool, but they are big name, star players. Phil Foden will definitely miss out and Erling Haaland will likely be a match day decision.
Hard to say if Haaland will be utilized here or not (was his Norway withdrawal just precautionary? Or is his groin injury substantial?), as a massive UEFA Champions League clash is on the horizon.
Liverpool at Manchester City FYIs
Kickoff: Saturday 1 April, 12:30pm GMT, The Etihad, Manchester, UK
Team News: Liverpool Manchester City
Starting XI Predictions: Liverpool Manchester City
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
PL Standing: Liverpool 6th 42 pts Manchester City 2nd, 61 pts
PL Form: Liverpool LWWDW Manchester City WWWDW
Google Result Probability: Liverpool 17% Draw 22% Manchester City 61%
That said, if City are going all out to try and defend their Premier League title this season, then this game here against the only team the team that stopped them from winning five league titles in a row (instead of “just” four out of five) is a must win.
For now, we’re leaving Haaland on the bench, but we’ll see what happens during the week, as we get closer to gameday. Maybe he’ll just do a cameo off the bench.
Manchester City Starting XI Prediction vs Liverpool
Ederson; Ake, Dias, Laporte, Walker; Rodri, Gundogan, Mahrez, De Bruyne, Bernardo; Alvarez
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now. Follow the website on Twitter and Instagram.