The Premier League title race heats up as Liverpool welcome Manchester Metropolis to Anfield on Sunday. With each groups navigating contrasting fortunes, this encounter may have important implications for the season.
Liverpool, buoyed by their current kind, have an opportunity to increase their lead over the champions to 11 factors. In the meantime, Metropolis, struggling to search out consistency, face what looks like a must-win sport to maintain their title hopes alive.
Liverpool’s Momentum
Liverpool come into this fixture on a excessive after a 3-2 victory in opposition to Southampton and a powerful midweek conquer Actual Madrid. The win in opposition to Southampton opened up an eight-point hole between the Reds and Metropolis, offering Arne Slot’s aspect with a big cushion.
Including to their confidence is the sturdy document they boast at Anfield in opposition to Metropolis. With their attacking rhythm clicking and a possibility to ship a decisive blow to their title rivals, Liverpool might be desperate to capitalise.
Nevertheless, some damage issues linger. Conor Bradley limped off with a suspected hamstring subject in opposition to Actual Madrid, and Ibrahima Konaté required therapy post-match. Each gamers might be assessed forward of the sport. Trent Alexander-Arnold, who made the bench midweek, may return to the beginning XI to bolster the Reds’ defence.
Man Metropolis’s Struggles
Manchester Metropolis’s present kind is a trigger for concern. Pep Guardiola’s aspect is winless in six matches throughout all competitions, an unprecedented hunch for the Spanish supervisor.
The champions suffered a humbling 4-0 defeat to Tottenham final weekend and squandered a 3-0 lead in opposition to Feyenoord within the Champions League to attract 3-3. Fragile on the again and uninspired in assault, Guardiola himself admitted {that a} loss at Anfield may successfully finish their probabilities of retaining the Premier League title.
Metropolis’s squad has been stretched skinny by accidents. Whereas Ruben Dias returned to the bench midweek, John Stones stays sidelined, alongside Mateo Kovacic, Rodri, and Oscar Bobb. Guardiola might be determined for options to halt this slide and reignite his staff’s marketing campaign.
Prediction and Odds
Liverpool are favourites heading into this sport, given Metropolis’s current struggles and the Reds’ formidable Anfield document. Whereas Metropolis’s high quality means they’re at all times a menace, Liverpool seem poised to take advantage of their opponents’ vulnerabilities.
Prediction: Liverpool to win 2-1.
Key Match Particulars
Date and Time: Sunday, 1 December 2024, 4pm GMT
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
TV Protection: Sky Sports activities Major Occasion, Sky Sports activities Premier League, and Sky Sports activities Extremely HDR
Reside Stream: Sky Go app (subscribers solely)
Head-to-Head Historical past
Liverpool wins: 108
Attracts: 58
Man Metropolis wins: 60