THE Premier League title won’t be decided at the Etihad today but a win for either side will go a long way to determining the destination of the trophy.
Man City hold a slender one point lead over rivals Liverpool and there’s been little to choose between the sides over the last few seasons. In fact, over the last four seasons a single point is all that separates them. City narrowly lead with 338 points from 144 games, while Liverpool have 337.
It’ll be fine margins that decides the title and it could be fine margins that decide the outcome of today’s match.
BBC Sport published a fascinating piece of analysis based on research by Data experts Nielsen Gracenote and FBref on how the numbers might help us pick a winner this afternoon. Key findings include;
- Liverpool are now taking more shots than in any of the six previous seasons – 557 goal attempts in 2021-22, an increase of nearly 30% compared to this stage of last season
- Defensively they are the top two teams in terms of allowing fewest shots again this season. City have only allowed 67 on target in 30 games. Liverpool are second with only 83 allowed
- City complete more passes – 91,644 over the past four seasons compared with 79,683 for Liverpool
- Over the past four seasons Man City have held the upper hand in the fixture, winning three and drawing three of the seven matches
Home advantage makes City the favourites at 21/20 and they’ve not lost to the Reds at the Etihad under Guardiola but is that about to change today? Liverpool have been building momentum and have rarely been in better shape to win there. Klopp’s men have only tasted defeat once this year, and even then they could afford to do so, against Inter Milan when they were already two goals to the good from the first leg.
With nothing between the sides it’s worth taking a punt on the Reds at 13/5 (SBK). Their front three are amongst the most deadly in the world and a match for any defence. If you’re being offered those odds on Liverpool at the moment they have to be worth taking, even if it is against the highest ranked team in Europe at the moment.
Fulham can open up a 13 point lead at the top of the Championship and a degree of revenge could be on their minds this afternoon. Coventry beat the Cottagers 4-1 when the sides met back in October but it could be a very different story this afternoon.
The Sky Blues have won just one of their last eight and sit mid-table while Fulham will be desperate to take another step closer to promotion and the title. 38 goal Aleksander Mitrovic can help them to a win at 1/2 but the 13/8 on them scoring more than two goals for the 16th time this campaign.
In Scotland, Celtic heaped the pressure on to Rangers with a scintilating 7-0 win over relegation-threatened St Johnstone. The Hoops didn’t let up following their win at Ibrox and now sit nine points clear of their Glasgow rivals.
The Gers simply must respond today in Paisley where they visit St Mirren. Results didn’t go the Buddies’ way on Saturday so a top six finish is beyond them but they need to be careful not to be drawn in to a relegation battle.
Defeat to Braga on Thursday failed to lift the mood at Ibrox and anything other than three points this lunchtime would all but end their title defence. Alfredo Morelos is proving a big miss for Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s men but there’s enough talent elsewhere in the squad to find goals versus St Mirren, against whom they’ve scored two or more in each of their last six meetings.
Rangers have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four and only managed to shut out their opponents in four of 15 away games in the league so BTTS appeals at 6/5.
Super Singles
Upcoming Match Previews & Tips
- Sunday’s Goals Accumulator Tips: Today’s 4/1 Both Teams to Score, Over 2.5 Goals & Total Team Goals Acca
- SlipsTips Tips: Fulham vs Coventry City
- Sun 11:30 Genoa v Lazio
- Sun 12:00 St Mirren v Rangers
- Sun 14:00 Brentford v West Ham United
- Sun 14:00 Leicester City v Crystal Palace
- Sun 15:00 Fulham v Coventry City
- Sun 16:30 Manchester City v Liverpool
- Sun 19:45 Torino v AC Milan
- Sun 20:00 Levante v Barcelona
Racing Tips
A quiet day for Rizzel on Sunday with just one selection in the Hollywoodbets Alleged Stakes (Group 3) at the Curragh
The Masters Golf Tips
Scottie Scheffler continues to lead the way at Augusta, at least at the time of writing. The Caddy’s main tip for The Masters holds a four-stroke lead thru 13 with Cameron Smith providing the closest challenge. It’s all to play for going in to the final and those of us who have backed The Caddy’s tip will be hoping Scheffler can keep his cool and hold on to that lead on Sunday. Best of luck!
As always, let us know your tips and predictions for today in the comments section below and good luck with all your bets!
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