Liverpool take on Manchester City in a crucial Premier League clash at the Etihad today - and a number of pundits anticipate nothing will be able to separate the sides.
Jurgen Klopp's team sit just one point behind City at the top of the table and while no-one has underplayed the significance of the fixture, some feel this won't be the final title decider. With seven games left after this one, it will still be all to play for in the latter stages of the season.
Both Liverpool and City continue to battle for the remaining trophies on offer and, next Saturday, they will go head-to-head again at Wembley in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. But for now, all attention is on this afternoon and the top-of-the-table match.
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Peter Crouch and Micah Richards, Daily Mail (Manchester City 1-1 Liverpool)
Ex-Liverpool striker Peter Crouch expects a 1-1 draw but for Pep Guardiola's side to go on and lift the trophy come the end of the season. He told the Daily Mail: "I fancy a 1-1 draw but with City eventually winning the league. Liverpool to win the Champions League."
Micah Richards shared a similar prediction: "Are you reading my mind? Sometimes when these games are so hyped, they never go quite as you expect them to and I think 1-1, too. I'm adamant that there will be more bumps in the road after this, but let's see.
"If Liverpool win, they will go on and take the title. I could be at peace with that if I knew that City could have the Champions League as a consolation…"
Paul Merson, SportsKeeda (Manchester City 2-2 Liverpool)
While City have had a fantastic season so far, Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes there are areas Liverpool could look to exploit. He also anticipates goals will be scored as neither manager will look to shut up shop and go with a more defensive approach.
He told SportsKeeda: "Given how much they dominated [against Atletico Madrid], City still left the door open at the back a little bit and Liverpool could look to exploit that. Both teams will want to win this one and neither of these two managers will look to play for a draw, so I can see a few goals being scored.
"I think this game will end 2-2, meaning the two sides will carry on just as they did for the rest of the Premier League season. If it ends all square, it's a massive advantage for Manchester City, as their fate will rest in their own hands."
Mark Lawrenson, BBC (Manchester City 2-2 Liverpool)
Mark Lawrenson believes this won't be the title decider and the pressure will still be on for the winner to win all of their remaining fixtures. As little has separated the two teams this campaign, he expects the same again at the Etihad.
The Liverpool great told the BBC: "This is the big one. I am expecting a good game because you don't get anything else with two teams as talented as these, and with the way they both play.
"At different times, one team or the other will be on top - it will just come down to who can take their chances when they come. It will be close, and there will be a few goals. I don't see it as a title decider because there are still seven games to go after this. Whoever wins, the pressure is still on, but I am going for a draw anyway."
Michael Owen, BetVictor (Manchester City 1-2 Liverpool)
Ex-Red Michael Owen appeared to be the only pundit to predict either side will go on and win the game. He backs his former club to clinch the victory, although he thinks it will be a tight contest.
Owen told BetVictor: " The biggest game of this season, I can’t wait! I thought City played well against Atletico in midweek, it’s obviously never easy or particularly enjoyable playing against Simeone’s side. However, I think City aren’t quite firing on all cylinders in the final third, they haven’t been as prolific of late. This game could go either way, but I’m going for Liverpool.
"I think they’re going into this with a bit more momentum than City and they have a little bit more attacking spark and threat. 2-1 to Liverpool!"
