Liverpool v Man City: Betting Preview

Betting | selectabet | November 20, 2009 at 4:06 pm

Liverpool v Man City
Live on Sky Sports . Kick off 12.45pm

There are few teams in the Premier League for whom an International break is good news. But for Liverpool it’s given them some respite from a wretched run of form and the chance for the likes of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Alberto Aquilani to recuperate further. Of those, it’s only Gerrard who looks a cert to start with Torres a possible and Aquilani set to join Riera and the increasingly influential Benayoun on the sidelines.

For Rafa Benitez the visit of Manchester City is yet another must-win game. City currently sit above the Reds, one place and one point better off (with a game in hand) but their recent form is nothing to write home about either. It’s now 5 draws on the bounce for City and whilst that means they’re unbeaten in 6, they’ve also won just once in their last 7 in the league.

Since losing the Manchester derby they’ve played just one team in the top 8, Aston Villa, with whom they drew 1-1. So is this City side on the slide or is it a case that their big names are only big-game players? I think it’s probably more of the latter. They’ve got a point to prove against the bigger teams in the league and seem to be able to raise their game for the big matches. But they’ve a poor record at Anfield. Their 1-1 draw there last season ended a run of 5 straight defeats there.

For me the outcome will depend largely on whether Steven Gerrard is truly match fit and whether he’s joined by Fernando Torres. If both play then odds around 1/1 (Betfair) don’t look too bad for the home win. But without those lynchpins 7/2 (Ladbrokes) is very tempting for a City victory. This might be a game that worth’s waiting for the team news before diving in, in fact it may well be best to take in the first 10 minutes of action and assess the impact of Messrs. Gerrard and Torres and make your call in-play.

For some value in the game, the effervescent Craig Bellamy returns to Anfield where he’ll feel he has a point to prove. He’s weighed in with 3 City’s 8 away goals this term and is 11/1 (Paddy Power) to open the scoring and very tidily priced at 4/1 (Paddy Power) to net anytime.