Premier League: Time for the Real Champs to Show Themselves

Manchester City vs Liverpool

Can the real Manchester City please stand up? That is the question from this SBOTOP Premier League observer. Is it the swash-buckling side which so often swept all before them over the past decade or is it the post October version which has stuttered, staggered and sank without a trace at times at home and abroad.

The way in which Pep Guardiola’s men had the stuffing knocked out of them by some Kylian Mbappe magic in midweek wasn’t a shock in itself – the French captain can do that to any opponent at any time.

What was the surprise was that, no sooner had he opened the scoring inside four minutes to give Real a 4-2 aggregate advantage – combined with the loss of centre back John Stones moments later – City didn’t appear to have the desire nor the appetite for the fight.

That is not something that has been said about the reigning English champions at all, that is until three months ago since when it has dramatically gone awry, falling apart in key moments in a way that rarely happens to the great champions.

Of course, just four days earlier, City produced one of their best showings of the season to put four past a talented Newcastle side without reply. So, as they prepare to welcome the side most likely to take their Premier League crown to the Etihad this weekend, it begs the question: Will the real Manchester City please stand up?

 

Talking Points

Of course, Premier League 2025 highlights are more likely if they can get the deadliest striker in Europe over the past two years up and running again. Erling Haaland was only fit enough to be an unused substitute in Madrid and, after his two goal salvo in the first leg, he will surely be the player Liverpool fear the most should he be fit to return to the starting XI this weekend. Stones almost certainly won’t make it after suffering another setback.

There is no doubt who the dangerman is in the visitors’ line-up. Mohamed Salah is a shoo-in for the footballer of the year and was again pivotal on Wednesday night with a goal and assist as the leaders drew 2-2 at Aston Villa.

That Liverpool are clear at the top with a 17 point advantage over City, who are fourth, should hurt Guardiola and his players and now is the time to respond. It is time to improve a statistic which shows Guardiola’s side also have the worst defensive record of the Premier League’s top eight.

In truth, the Merseysiders can really only throw away their advantage at the top of the table but it’s not out of the question and, defeat on Sunday, coupled with an Arsenal victory 24 hours earlier, will have the potential to allow what has been a one-way procession to become a title race.

Whichever side shows the most resilience, allied to clear quality, is likely to emerge happier come early Sunday evening. Now is the time for the real champions to stand up.

 

History

The sides met twice last season and both meetings ended one apiece. Haaland and Trent Alexander-Arnold were the marksmen in the game at the Etihad Stadium, while Stones and Alexis Mac Allister (penalty) were the men on target at Anfield four months later. Earlier this term. Liverpool took advantage of City’s poor run of form with Cody Gakpo and a Salah penalty winning the day.

Overall, Liverpool have won 109 of their clashes with 60 City successes and 58 draws. Their very first meeting was a game played in Hyde Road in Manchester in the former Division Two in September 1893 when James Stott scored the only goal of the game in favour of the visitors.

 

Betting Tip

The Premier League 2025 betting odds back the visitors to win this one. The leaders are priced 1X2 @ 2.33 and Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.07. It’s not often City are not favourites on home turf and they pose very attractive odds, both 1X2 @ 2.55 and +0.25 @ 1.83.

Total Goals 0-1 @ 5.40 has caught my eye because this game will likely be tight, but I can see why punters may prefer the goal options which include 2-3 @ 2.29 and 4-6 @ 2.32. The draw @ 3.57 has a certain appeal, as does a repeat of last season’s meeting which will pay out @ 8.00 with Correct Score 1-1.

   

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