Manchester City will be looking to take a giant stride towards retaining their Premier League title crown when they face Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium in a huge top-of-the-table clash on Sunday afternoon.
City, who played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with the Reds at Anfield back in October, will be looking to build on Tuesday evening's 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Kevin De Bruyne netted the only goal of the game to put City in the driving seat ahead of next Wednesday's second-leg.
However, before Pep Guardiola's side can focus their efforts on trying to reach the semi-finals of the competition, they must go toe-to-toe with Liverpool in a battle that is being dubbed one of the biggest in recent Premier League history. City are currently one point ahead of Jurgen Klopp's side at the summit, highlighting the importance of the contest.
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But considering City, despite their recent brilliance, are going up against a Liverpool side who are in excellent form themselves, it is hard to predict how the contest will map out, especially with so much at stake. But what do the pundits think? Below, MEN Sport has taken a close look at what they have had to say.
Mark Lawrenson - BBC Sport
"This is the big one," Lawrenson told BBC Sport. "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."
Prediction: City 2-2 Liverpool.
Paul Merson - Sportskeeda
"I watched Manchester City in the Champions League the other day and I can't remember Atletico Madrid touching the ball too many times," Merson told Sportskeeda. "That said, the away side got two excellent chances on the break and I thought to myself that if it was Liverpool, they'd have scored.
"Given how much they dominated, 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.
"If the Cityzens draw the game and still end up losing the title, I'd be shocked."
Prediction: City 2-2 Liverpool.
Michael Owen - BetVictor
"The biggest game of this season, I can’t wait!" Owen told BetVictor. "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.
"It was a good game in Lisbon against Benfica and Liverpool probably deserved that 3-1 win. It was probably an ideal warm up game for Liverpool, Benfica tried to take the game to them. I’ve been saying it since he signed, Luis Diaz belongs in this side. He’s given this side even more threat and I wouldn’t be shocked at all if he played a big part in this one.
"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!"
Prediction: City 1-2 Liverpool.
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