Manchester City vs Liverpool: Preview, Odds and Betting Tips - 25/11/2023 (Premier League)

Big test for new-look Liverpool midfield

Manchester City vs Liverpool is the match that welcomes fans from all over the world back to the 2023/24 Premier League season after the November 2023 international break.

On 25 November 2023, these two English football giants will go head-to-head at the Etihad in the first of their two league meetings. Their clash has come to become one of the most anticipated matches of the football season just like the El Clasico in Spain between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Both teams have had a chokehold on English football for the past four years with their two-horse race for the title. Last season, Arsenal disrupted the status quo and Liverpool succumbed to the weight of expectation. This season, they are both back to the pinnacle of the league after a slow start.

Things are about to heat up, especially in this match, which is very high stakes. Outside of the fact that both teams have become rivals in recent years, there is very little separating them from the top of the table and being outside the top four. A loss for either team could see them drop down into fifth place, depending on how the team's occupying the third, fourth and fifth places on the log perform in their matches.

Manchester City will be wary of the attacking threat that Liverpool have displayed in the last 12 matchdays. The Reds, on the other hand, will be wary of the grit that City have begun to show which has helped them grind out results in a league that has become tougher to navigate.

Jürgen Klopp’s side will also be worried by the calibre of their opposition because they have struggled clearly against high-calibre opposition in the league this season. A 1-1 draw with Chelsea (who themselves are struggling), a controversial 2-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur and an unfortunate draw at the AMEX against Brighton and Hove Albion are some of the results they have had against high-calibre teams this season.

Yet, many punters will not find it easy making netting selections for the Manchester City vs Liverpool game, but their form guides should provide an insight into the best options to bet on in this game.

Form Guide: Manchester City

Manchester City went into the international break on the back of very solid performances in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. The only blip in their record was their last match before the break. They conceded four times against Chelsea but were sharp enough to earn a 4-4 draw.

The match was intense and Pep Guardiola was unhappy with his team's defending. The four goals they conceded in that game was more than their last three Premier League matches combined.

However, they have a healthy goal figure in that span as well, which will give the City fans hope for their encounter against Liverpool. With 15 goals scored in their last four Premier League games, they have nothing to fear in front of goal.

Their worry, however, will be the fitness of Erling Haaland, who left the international break early due to picking up a small knock.

Form Guide: Liverpool

Defence wise, Liverpool have been better than Manchester City coming into this match. In their last four Premier League games before the November 2023 international break, they conceded only one goal, remarkably against newcomer's Luton Town.

They scored less than City, though, which indicates that this game will go to the team who can finish the most chances they can create.

They, unlike City, suffered a loss in this period. French side Toulouse beat them in the UEFA Europa League just before the international break. It did not stop their momentum in the Premier League though, as they went on to claim a 3-0 victory over Brentford in the match before the break.

Klopp will only be worried about the distribution of goals in his team. All his attackers have found the back of the net multiple times, but Mohamed Salah still leads the Reds in goals and assists by a wide margin. An off day for him against City could prove fatal.

What to expect from the match

High intensity from start to finish, much like the Chelsea vs Manchester City game, is the major expectation.

Liverpool will try to utilize the speed in their team while City will play a more balanced football, but rely on their ability to move the ball up the pitch as quickly as possible. The Reds' form against the big sides so far and against high-calibre opposition will give Manchester City some hope and they will attempt to intimidate the new-look Liverpool team who will be visiting the Etihad for the first time.

The Reds will also draw inspiration from City's last dropped points against the big teams - draw to Chelsea and loss to Arsenal - as they fight to get on the scoresheet first in the game.

Man City have a Champions League game against Red Bull Leipzig in midweek and although they have already qualified for the round of 16, Guardiola will not want to take his chances against Liverpool and will field his strongest XI in order to hold on to the lead he fought for in the 2023/24 Premier League.

Betting predictions

Liverpool penalty

Mohamed Salah has scored a few penalties this season and Manchester City have given away quite a few of themselves. This option could very well be titled, “Mohamed Salah anytime scorer”, but the Egyptian is also famous for missing penalties. Hence, it is safer to go with the Liverpool penalty option in your bets because of the history of both teams in the league so far.

William Hill is offering 2.00 odds for the Reds to get a spotkick.

Over 1.5 goals

Little has separated both sides since their rivalry officially began. Their head-to-head is littered with 3-2 scorelines, 1-0 scorelines and 2-1 scorelines. It was only in the reverse fixture at Etihad last season that Liverpool held four goals while only finding the back of City's net once. This is why it is unwise to bet on a match outcome that is over 1.5 total goals because they could very well play 1-0 and cost you your stake.

William Hill is offering 1.50 odds for this to happen.

Manchester City win or draw

Glory is at the end of the tunnel for Manchester City if they can hold on to the top spot until the end of the season. They will be the first club to successfully win the Premier League four times in a row. 

Everyone at the club is thinking about this outcome and as such, will take to the pitch on every Premier League matchday with it at the back of their minds. Also, they hammered (a less stable) Liverpool 4-1 last season and are very ready to make it happens again.

William Hill is offering 1.40 for City to avoid defeat.

All odds are via William Hill and all info valid as of the time of writing.

Odds could differ now.