Manchester City will collide league leaders Liverpool in the most anticipated fixture of boxing day at the Etihad Stadium.

Liverpool are in blistering form at the moment having won four back to back league games scoring 17 goals and conceding only 3.

On the other hand, Manchester City have gained 10 points from their last 4 scoring 14 goals and conceding 8 goals.

This will be the ultimate battle of the best attacks in the league as City lead the charts with 51 goals and Liverpool have netted 42 goals.

Both teams are defensively not that strong and have not shown consistency, however at the Etihad Stadium, City have not really been concerned about conceding at home because they have been outscoring opponents with ease.

In their last league game at home, City conceded 3 against Arsenal but netted 6 to rip them apart. Besides that, 6-0 thrashing of Spurs and 4-1 humiliation of neighbors Manchester United shows why they should be considered favorites for tomorrow’s game.

Liverpool have been outstanding at home as well. Away from home, they have won only three league games this season but their last result will surely give them massive confidence as they ripped Tottenham apart at White Hart Lane 5-0.

Reds will be glad that the opponents will be without their main talisman Aguero who is injured and their own Luis Suarez is firing on all cylinders becoming the first player to net 10 goals in a calendar month (2 games left).

The league table never lies, Liverpool deserve to be on top and cannot be taken lightly. If Suarez and co are flowing again, City may as well lose the first home league game this season but that is easier said than done.

In my view, Liverpool's usual system must be put on hold and the Reds must adopt a reactive formation. Jordan Henderson will need to drop deep and track the runs of Yaya Toure, while Lucas Leiva will have to sit and mark David Silva tightly throughout the 90 minutes. Whatever happens, though, Rodgers cannot afford to take the game to Manchester City. Their speed on the counter and sheer attacking prowess means Liverpool's priority must be to keep things tight at the back. A win would be thrilling - but to target it would be naive. For once, a draw in itself would be a huge statement of intent.

Possible Lineup
Manchester City -

Hart; Kolarov, Kompany,
Demichelis, Clichy;
Fernandinho, Yaya Toure;
Milner, Silva, Jesus Navas;
Negredo.

•


Liverpool-

Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel,
Sakho, Flanagan; Lucas, Allen;
Sterling, Henderson, Coutinho;
Suarez.
MY PREDICTION
Man city 1 - 1 Liverpool

EMMASON-125:
In my view, Liverpool's usual system must be put on hold and the Reds must adopt a reactive formation. Jordan Henderson will need to drop deep and track the runs of Yaya Toure, while Lucas Leiva will have to sit and mark David Silva tightly throughout the 90 minutes. Whatever happens, though, Rodgers cannot afford to take the game to Manchester City. Their speed on the counter and sheer attacking prowess means Liverpool's priority must be to keep things tight at the back. A win would be thrilling - but to target it would be naive. For once, a draw in itself would be a huge statement of intent.

gbam. city wons 3-1

A match to watch!

ednut1: gbam. city wons 3-1

For your dream abi? Mind you Liverpool will dominate tomorrow game

Very tough game for both sides. I think the result will be depending on our defense. if we'll focus on our defending, we can win this match. YNWA

Man City vs Man United 4-1
Man City vs Spurs 6-0
Man City vs Arsenal 6-3
Next victim...Liverpool?

Cool analysis guys

But, follow the Matchday preview here;

https://www.nairaland.com/1565669/manchester-city-vs-liverpool-today

Thx

Pablo Zabaleta is in line to make a shock return for Manchester City’s fixture against Liverpool on Boxing Day after making a swift recovery from a hamstring injury.

Rodgers hoping to end man city run
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes his side are capable of ending Manchester City's 100 per cent home league record this season.

The Premier League leaders head to the Etihad Stadium on Boxing Day to face a third-placed City side who have won all eight of their home games, scoring 35 goals in the process.

"We know it is a tough place to go. This season Manchester City have won every one of their games at home but we've won every one at home bar one," said Rodgers.

"They obviously have confidence at home and they score goals but they concede goals.

"You normally lose it (a 100 per cent record) at some stage of the season, it will depend on a team going there and having the bravery to play and get that bit of luck when you need it.

"In the two games against City last season we were the better side and we made mistakes that cost us and we ended up drawing the two games.

"They will know as well we are a good side and arrive with confidence high.

"We understand it will be a really tough game but we are looking forward to it.

"If you play to your A game it may be difficult for opponents and that is what we concentrate on - we can be the team that goes there and gets the first result."

Rodgers admits he is currently short on numbers and is looking at drafting in youth and reserve players to bolster his first-team squad over the busy festive period.

"Man City's squad is one which has been built to win every trophy in the world, not just the Premier League," he said.

"We understand the size of the task but our team at the moment has shown to be the best team over 17 games.

"You have to respect the opponent and understand they have some outstanding players but recognise the talents of your own group.

"You will probably learn more about the squad (over the coming days).

"I know what the team can do but we have a number of injuries, however, we will go into the game with the same charisma and aggression to work.

"It is an opportunity for us in the game but also an opportunity for me to bring in youth team and reserve team players - that is why you have an academy."

Gerrard looks ahead
Steven Gerrard speaks about the upcoming year with the England team and his hopes for his Liverpool side next season..........

Luis Suarez vs Vincent Kompany: Big reputations on the line As Manchester City prepare to host Liverpool on Boxing Day, arguably the division’s best striker and defender meet. Manchester City’s home record is outstanding this season, with Manuel Pellegrini’s men wiping the floor with allcomers at the Etihad Stadium over the last couple of months. What is Liverpool’s best starting XI? The next team into the lion’s den is Liverpool, who travel to Manchester today in search of a result to keep them on top of the Premier League table. However, an interesting subplot will see Luis Suarez take on Vincent Kompany, in what is sure to have a real impact on the outcome of the game. The Liverpool striker is in scintillating form, netting an incredible 19 goals in 12 Premier League games this season already. However, he will go up against arguably the most able central defender in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium in the form of the Belgian. Despite a comical own goal in City’s last game, a 4-2 win over Fulham, Kompany seems close to full fitness once more and will be keen to lead his side to another victory on home soil against the Reds. To do so, he will be personally charged with keeping the mercurial Uruguayan quiet – no mean feat given the confidence that runs through Suarez’s veins at the moment. Given the lofty reputations of the individual players, it is fair to build the personal battle up as the Premier League’s best striker against its top defender. http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2013/12/26/luis-suarez-vs-vincent-kompany-big-reputations-on-the-line/

Toure fires warning to Liverpool
The Merseysiders arrive on Boxing Day full of confidence as they are top of the table at Christmas for the first time in five years.

They are actually the last club to be in that position and not go on to win the title but despite rising optimism at Anfield, Toure sounded a word of caution.

Having been drawn against Barcelona in the knockout stage of the Champions League, Toure has had word from inside the Catalan club's camp that is not a draw they are relishing.

"I had a call from one of my old team-mates from Spain who was quite disappointed," said the former Barcelona midfielder.

"He wasn't sure what would happen. In the past they would be confident they would go through and beat anyone but they are afraid about us.

"The way we are playing at home - and they are seeing that - means they are quite scared because we play fantastic football, we score goals and it is total attack.

"At the moment we are terrific at home. Any team who comes here we think we can score against - maybe it won't always be the case for us to achieve that every game.

"We are not the sort of team that is fearful of opponents, we are playing in an attractive way and an attacking way, and I think Liverpool will be aware of that."

City's home record is formidable as they have won all eight league matches and scored 35 goals and they are only in third place, one point behind Liverpool, because of their inferior away form.

Striker Sergio Aguero has scored eight of his 13 league goals at the Etihad Stadium but his calf injury means fans will be denied the chance to see the top-flight's two leading scorers go head-to-head.

Liverpool's Luis Suarez is in the form of his life with 19 goals in just 12 league games and Toure admits it is difficult to separate the two.

"Aguero is unbelievable, he is one of the most important strikers in this league at the moment," said the Ivory Coast international.

"He can always make something happen and his partnership with Alvaro (Negredo) was fantastic for us so at the moment missing him is a big blow for us but we have to deal with it.

"Suarez is a brilliant player and this season he is at the top. Him and Aguero are the best strikers in England, no question, and are up there as the best in the world too.

"It would have been fantastic to see them on the same pitch in this game; Suarez has everything in his game at the moment.

"But Liverpool are a team with other good players too and a good manager. It will be a big, big game."