Pep Guardiola will contest his 1,000th game as a coach on Sunday, and where better to mark this milestone than in the top-of-the-table clash against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium. At 4:30 p.m., second-placed Manchester City (19 points) and third-placed Liverpool (18 points) will face each other as both continue to chase leaders Arsenal, who are already six points ahead. The recent record favors the visitors: Liverpool won the last two head-to-head matches 2-0, in December 2024 at Anfield and in February 2025 at the Etihad. Overall, the last five matches have seen two Liverpool wins, two draws, and only one City victory, which was over two years ago. All five games saw at least two goals scored, with both teams finding the net. After a strong start to the season, Liverpool went through a crisis with four consecutive league defeats, but ended it with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa and showed a tactically disciplined performance in a 1-0 win over Real Madrid during the week. City have been stable recently with three wins from four league games and demonstrated impressive attacking strength in the Champions League with a 4-1 win over Dortmund, Phil Foden scoring twice and Erling Haaland increasing his season tally to 27 goals in 17 competitive games. Liverpool are still without regular goalkeeper Alisson and Jeremie Frimpong, who are not expected to return until after the international break. Alexander Isak has returned to training after a three-week break, but his participation remains questionable. City are still without Mateo Kovacic due to injury, while Rodri came on as a substitute against Bournemouth after a long break but was not included in the squad against Dortmund.
- Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
- Date and time: November 9, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
- Competition: Premier League (Matchday 11)
The betting tips for this match are based on City’s strong form, especially Haaland’s exceptional goal-scoring record, as well as Liverpool’s personnel problems in defense. This leads to three key predictions: Manchester City to win at home, over 2.5 goals in the game, and both teams to score. The expected home win is based on City’s four wins in their last five games and the momentum gained from their 4-1 win over Dortmund. Haaland is in impressive form (27 goals in 17 appearances) and is considered a decisive factor, while Liverpool are considered more vulnerable defensively due to the absence of Alisson and Frimpong. The fact that both teams are strong offensively but vulnerable defensively argues in favor of over 2.5 goals: City has conceded goals in 80% of its recent games, Liverpool in its last three games in a row. With both teams averaging more than 1.5 goals per game, a high-scoring game seems likely.
Man City Form & Record Check
Manchester City are in second place with 19 points, six points behind Arsenal and one point ahead of Liverpool. Their form shows four wins and one defeat in their last five competitive games, with City scoring in four of those five games but also conceding in four. Most recently, the team impressed with a 3-1 win over Bournemouth, in which Haaland scored twice, and a 4-1 win over Dortmund in the Champions League, where Foden scored twice and Haaland and Cherki were also on target. The Norwegian reports that he has never felt better this season. The offensive power around Haaland and Foden, as well as the freshness after the convincing Champions League performance, speak in City’s favor, and Cherki, Rúben Dias, and Bernardo Silva are expected to return after being rested during the week. However, there was a drop in concentration over 90 minutes against Dortmund, with Donnarumma having to make several saves. Guardiola’s switch to a back three raises questions about the game plan and balance, and the defensive vulnerability could be problematic against Liverpool. Particularly noteworthy: City have won only one of their last eight games against the Reds, Haaland has scored just three goals in league games against Liverpool and has yet to win a league game against them. Mateo Kovačić is still out with an ankle injury and is expected to return in mid-March. Rodri remains a question mark after a serious knee injury, having played only 588 minutes recently and missed the Dortmund game. Nico González is seen as a possible backup at the six, but he has not yet reached Rodri’s level. The return of key players who have been rested increases the offensive options, but the lack of stability in defensive midfield could necessitate a more defensive approach with a back three or additional defensive midfielders to control Liverpool’s transition game.
Guardiola is likely to opt for a 4-3-3 system, with Donnarumma possibly making a surprise appearance in goal. The back four would probably consist of Lewis, Stones, Dias, and Gvardiol. Kovacic is still out with an ankle injury, so González, Reijnders, and Silva could occupy the center. Rodri remains doubtful after coming on as a substitute against Dortmund. Haaland, Foden, and Doku are expected to lead the attack. Cherki could get a chance to play after scoring his first Champions League goal and putting in strong performances since his return. After the 4-1 win in the Champions League, few changes are expected, with Dias and Silva likely to return to the starting lineup after their break.
Liverpool Form & Record Check
Liverpool are going through a contradictory phase: after a dream start with seven wins from seven games, they suffered a drastic slump with six defeats from seven games, but recently they have returned to form with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa and a 1-0 win over Real Madrid. With 18 points, Liverpool are in third place, just one point behind Manchester City and level on points with Sunderland in fourth. Offensively and defensively, the key figures have deteriorated compared to last season, both in terms of xG and goals conceded. Liverpool are confronted with long balls more often than any other team in the league, a tactical problem that has not yet been permanently solved. In their last five games, Liverpool have scored in four, but have conceded goals in the first half in each of their last three. The squad has undergone a major overhaul following the loss of Jota, Alexander-Arnold, Díaz, and Núñez. New signings such as Wirtz, Isak, Ekitike, Frimpong, and Kerkez are expected to fill these gaps, but their integration has been bumpy: Wirtz has yet to score or assist in the Premier League, Isak has been out with injuries and has only just returned to team training. Coach Slot recently switched to a midfield trio of Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, and Gravenberch, which has brought stability. Gakpo has taken on a more important role, Bradley has played one of his strongest games, and Robertson is back in the starting lineup. The formation worked against Villa and Real, but at the same time, the team’s dependence on Gravenberch and Wirtz’s position remains fragile. Leoni’s long-term absence with a cruciate ligament rupture exacerbates the youth issues, Konaté’s future is uncertain and he is being courted by top clubs. Alisson is expected to return after the international break, and Frimpong is also expected back then. The last two wins provide a positive foundation, but the structural problems with reduced offensive efficiency, a vulnerable defense against long balls, and the integration of new players have not yet been solved.
Liverpool are likely to start in a 4-3-3 system in Manchester. Coach Arne Slot is expected to field the same starting eleven that impressed against Aston Villa and Real Madrid. Giorgi Mamardashvili is expected to start in goal, as Alisson is not expected back until after the international break, according to Slot. A possible back four consists of Harrison Bradley on the right, Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk in central defense, and Andrew Robertson on the left. The midfield trio of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ryan Gravenberch is considered set and has recently provided stability. In attack, Felix Wirtz could come in from the left after his strong performance against Real Madrid, Mohamed Salah would play on the right, and Serhou Ekitiké is possibly planned for the center forward position. Alexander Isak only returned to training on Friday after a three-week break, and a decision on his involvement will be made at short notice. Jeremie Frimpong is expected to return from a thigh injury after the international break.
Man City – Liverpool Head-to-head & Statistics
Liverpool have won two of the last five head-to-head matches, Manchester City one, with two draws. Liverpool’s two wins came in the most recent encounters in December 2024 and February 2025, both 2-0. All five games saw more than 1.5 goals scored, with both teams finding the net. Only once, in April 2023 when City won 4-1, were more than 3.5 goals scored; otherwise, the games remained relatively controlled. Manchester City conceded at least one goal in each of these five encounters, an unusually consistent vulnerability for Guardiola’s team. Liverpool scored before halftime in three consecutive games, often taking the initiative early on.
