Man City vs Liverpool: Hosts to rediscover home winning formula
Published:Manchester City may have lost their last cup game on home soil, but they can be expected to bounce back to winning ways at the Etihad Stadium in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi final with Liverpool.
The defeat of Roberto Mancini’s men to their neighbours Manchester United in the FA Cup ended a run of 31 home matches without defeat, which includes victories in all ten of their Premier League fixtures on their own patch this season.
It was no surprise they lost to their rivals given they played with ten men for virtually the whole encounter and back to full allocation, Manchester City can beat Liverpool at 19/20.
Furthermore, they have triumphed in all of their last five home games in the Carling Cup.
The Carling Cup is arguably Liverpool’s best chance of silverware this season and they will be further encouraged to ensure that Kenny Dalglish wins the competition for the first time as a manager, after four victories as a player.
However, they have already been comprehensively beaten 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium by Manchester City in 2012 and still cannot call upon Luis Suarez to attempt to reverse this form.
The good news for Liverpool is that Manchester City will be without at least two of their star names, while there are injury doubts over a further three.
Vincent Kompany is suspended after his straight red card against Manchester United, while Yaya Toure is at the African Nations Cup with the Ivory Coast.
David Silva was replaced at half-time in the FA Cup defeat and will need to pass a late fitness test, as will strike duo Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko.
Given that Liverpool have scored in all barring one of their last 42 Carling Cup fixtures, Manchester City to triumph 3-1 looks the most appealing option in the correct scoreline market at 9/1.
