Liverpool can nick a point off City
MANCHESTER City have made their best ever start to a season with 11 wins and a draw from their opening 12 fixtures. They have hammered both Manchester United and Tottenham in their own backyards, but the Champions League has posed some problems.
The 2-1 defeat at Napoli on Tuesday night means that City face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages and there is no doubt that they have struggled to adapt to the demands of Champions League football. That game may well have left its mark and even though Roberto Mancini has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal, a trip to Anfield on Sunday wouldn’t have been top of his wishlist.
Liverpool are unbeaten in seven league games and deservedly beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend. They are playing with confidence and if there is a time to play City, then this is probably it. The Reds have lost just three of their past 25 home matches, but they have drawn four of their six at Anfield this campaign.
I was tempted to put up a home win at around 2/1, but I can see this ending all square and the draw is worth backing at 12/5 with William Hill. It’s also worth selling goals at 2.7 with Sporting Index as both of these in-form teams are likely to try to keep things tight.
Swansea have been very impressive so far this season, particularly at home where they only just lost their unbeaten record against Man United last Saturday. They really deserved a point and Javier Hernandez’s goal was only the second the Swans have conceded at the Liberty Stadium in six games.
Aston Villa are the visitors on Sunday and Alex McLeish is under increasing pressure after a lacklustre performance at Tottenham on Monday night. Villa are yet to win on the road this season, drawing four of their six.
Brendan Rodgers has Swansea playing some really good stuff and I fancy them to notch their fourth home win of the season. Paddy Power offer 13/10 about a home victory and that looks excellent value.
Similarly to local rivals City, Man United have performed well in the league this season, but have struggled in Europe. Their 2-2 draw against Benfica in midweek was a third stalemate so far and what originally looked a very easy group is now proving rather more difficult.
However, the Red Devils have been a different proposition in the league, especially at Old Trafford. They have won 23 of their last 25 home league games since the start of last season with 18 victories coming by the HT/FT double result.
Newcastle’s unbeaten run came to an end at Eastlands last weekend and they’re faced with an equally tough task tomorrow. Man United have won their last seven home contests against teams that had lost their previous game and I fancy them to land another HT/FT win at 10/11 with Paddy Power.
POINTERS…
Liverpool v Man City draw at 12/5 with William Hill
Sell goals in Liverpool v Man City at 2.7 with Sporting Index
Swansea at 13/10 with Paddy Power
Man United HT/FT at 10/11 with Paddy Power