Manchester City vs Liverpool Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Manchester City may have dominated proceedings in the Premier League last season, but coming into their first encounter with a fellow Premier League side this pre-season they’re significant underdogs.

That’s simply because of the players they have unavailable to them. The vast majority of their starting lineup are resting at home, with that list including Ederson, Kyle Walker, Nicolas Otamendi, Vincent Kompany, Fernandinho, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, and Sergio Aguero.

Admittedly their squad isn’t exactly bad, and still boasts the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Leroy Sane, Aymeric Laporte, and Phil Foden, but compared to Liverpool’s travelling squad it is noticeably devoid of star quality. That showed when they faced Borussia Dortmund at the weekend as well, with a 28th minute Mario Gotze penalty proving enough to settle the scores in Chicago.

Liverpool also faced Borussia Dortmund at the weekend, and just like Manchester City they ended up on the wrong side of the result, as a second half comeback ended with a 3-1 win for the German side.

However, unlike Manchester City they have been able to bring a very strong squad to the United States. New signing Alisson is still on rest, but Nathaniel Clyne, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Adam Lallana, Fabinho, and Divock Origi all started against Dortmund. Not only that, but Naby Keita is also present, and while they didn’t see action at the weekend the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are with the squad.

There’s a good chance we’ll see two of Liverpool’s attacking trident against Manchester City, and that usually means there are goals on the horizon. Add to that the fact that seven of Manchester City’s ten International Champions Cup matches have seen at least three goals, with seven of them also seeing both teams get on the scoresheet, and we’re expecting an entertaining clash here.

14 of the last 17 meetings between these sides have also seen at least three goals, so we think an Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams to Score looks good value along with a 2-1 win for the stronger Liverpool.