They are coming into this game on the back of five wins from the last six matches in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Liverpool were going through a poor run of form with six defeats in eight matches across all competitions. However, they have now picked up two consecutive victories against Aston Villa and Real Madrid. That will have given them a confidence boost. It will be interesting to see if they can pick up a win here and close the gap with the leaders.
They are already seven points adrift of Arsenal, and they cannot afford to keep dropping points if they want to win the league title this season.
Matches between these two teams are often packed with goals, and this one could be another exciting contest.
Both teams are capable of picking up a victory here and there should be a close contest.
The last time these two sides met, Liverpool picked up a 2-0 win away from home against Manchester City. They will be hoping for a similar result here. It will be interesting to see if the home team can continue their impressive form and grind out all three points.
Rodri and Mateo Kovacic remain sidelined for the home side. Manchester City will shape up in their usual 4-1-4-1 formation, with Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal.
Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly will start as the full-backs. They will help out at both ends of the pitch. Meanwhile, Ruben Dias will start alongside Josko Gvardiol in central defence.
As for the midfield unit, Nico Gonzalez will start in the middle of the park, and he will look to dictate the tempo of the game from the deep. Tijjani Reijnders and Phil Foden will start as the advanced midfielders. They will add creativity to the side.
Savinho and Jeremy Doku will add pace, flair and goals from the flanks, with Erling Haaland leading the line for Manchester City.
Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez; Doku, Reijnders, Foden, Savinho; Haaland
Arne Slot will be without Alisson Becker, Giovanni Leoni, Jeremie Frimpong, and Alexander Isak due to injuries. Liverpool are likely to shape up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal.
Conor Bradley and Andrew Robertson will start as the full-backs. They will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate will start in central defence partnership alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, and Dominik Szoboszlai will start in the middle of the park. They will look to control the game from the deep and add defensive cover.
Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo will start on the flanks here. They will look to add goals and creativity from the wide areas. Hugo Ekitike will lead the Liverpool attack.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Mamardashvilli, Bradley, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo; Ekitike
The Norwegian striker is our key player to watch out for. He has been in spectacular goal-scoring form, and he will look to make his mark in the game. Manchester City will need him to step up and produce a strong performance if they want to grind out all three points.
Liverpool have been quite vulnerable defensively this season. They have looked mediocre at the back, and Haaland has the qualities to exploit their defensive vulnerabilities.
The Norwegian could be the point of difference between the two teams here.
It remains to be seen whether he can extend his goal-scoring run and make a defining impact here.
Manchester City are in better form right now, and they will be looking to pick up all three points. They will certainly be the favourites at home. They have the confidence and momentum with them.
On the other hand, Liverpool have shown signs of improvement in the last two outings as well. It will be interesting to see if they cause any problems for the home team here. This is likely to be a close contest, and both teams are likely to get on the scoresheet. However, Liverpool’s defensive issues could let them down once again. Haaland has the quality to exploit their defensive vulnerabilities and punish them here. A narrow victory for the home team is on the cards.
