UEFA Champions League credentials come under the spotlight on Sunday when rivals Manchester City and Liverpool meet at Eastlands.

City have emerged as the favourites to push the Reds out of the traditional Big Four cartel and they currently occupy the all-important fourth place in the Premier League, while still holding a game in hand over their closest competitors.

This weekend's fixture has therefore become vitally important to both teams and a victory either way could secure a significant advantage in the battle for a lucrative spot in next season's European Cup.

It has also been speculated that the future of opposing managers Roberto Mancini, at City, and Liverpool's Rafa Benitez could hang in the balance of a top-four finish.

Mancini made an impressive start to his career in England after succeeding Mark Hughes in December, but the Italian has won just two of his next six games and he has been forced to deny reports of a bust-up with Craig Bellamy.The former Inter boss will not need to be told that his job is likely to be the subject of a meeting with City owner Sheikh Mansour at the end of the season if objectives set by the billionaire oil tycoon are not met.

Likewise Benitez at Liverpool. It is understood the Spaniard is set to discuss his future at Anfield at the end of a majorly disappointing campaign, which was encapsulated in Thursday's uninspiring Europa League win over Unirea Urziceni.
Shortage

City suffered from a player shortage in their league draw with 10-man Stoke on their last outing and they could again be struggling for the visit of Liverpool.Carlos Tevez will not feature after returning to Argentina for family reasons, while Bellamy could feature against his former club after a recent absence due to his knee injury.Patrick Vieira has been handed a three-match ban by the Football Association following his clash with Stoke's Glenn Whelan, while Vincent Kompany undergoes a test on a groin problem.Shaun Wright-Phillips and Stephen Ireland all suffered knocks in last weekend's FA Cup draw with Stoke, but were among the substitutes in the midweek meeting with the Potters. Martin Petrov has been ruled out for up to a month with a knee injury.

Liverpool will still be without Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson due to injury, but Yossi Benayoun may feature after several weeks' of recovery from a broken rib.Maxi Rodriguez is likely to return after Albert Riera failed to impress when the Argentine was cup-tied against Unirea, while Emiliano Insua could replace Fabio Aurelio. Sotirios Kyrgiakos is suspended.

Possible starting XIs:

Manchester City: Given, Richards, Toure, Lescott, Garrido, De Jong, Ireland, Barry, A Johnson, Santa Cruz, Adebayor.

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Insua, Lucas, Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard, Maxi, Ngog.

[url=http://www.skysports.com/football/match_preview/0,19764,11065_3222267,00.html]Match[/url]

Liverpool might just nick this if you ask me.

Man City has lost that momentum, that sparkle ever since Sparky left.

snowdrops:

Liverpool might just nick this if you ask me.

Man City has lost that momentum, that sparkle ever since Sparky left.

Football is not a mathematics,The better side wins D-day.

We are on a poor run of form . . . .but our experience should seeus thru

[center][size=28pt]YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE[/size][/center]

if Torres makes the starting 11, we have a good chance of winning.

it could go either way

july123:

Football is not a mathematics,The better side wins D-day.

It does not have to be mathematics to intelligently predict the outcome of a match

illusion2:

We are on a poor run of form . . . .but our experience should seeus thru

[center][size=28pt]YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE[/size][/center]

true talk brother

bgees:

if Torres makes the starting 11, we have a good chance of winning.

torres is still injured

otokx:

it could go either way

thats called sitting on the fence

This match is one, I belive the anfield boys will conquer and I do belive the worst is gonna be a draw

We the reds really really need to win this match

Se dem still dey dere?

emisun:

We the reds really really need to win this match

because you need to worry about the teams around you dragging fourth place

Even more so that there is talk now of a play off end of season for the 4th place and last champions league slot

I got my money on this, Liverpool is losing that match or a draw

Man city all the way with a win or draw.

By the way,i didnt see anyone posting the time schedule for Eyimba of Aba?

Should be an interesting one

Liverpool will run over Manchester City, who'ld stake a bet?

sko:

Liverpool will run over Manchester City, who'ld stake a bet?

they may win [/b]not[b] run over. thats pretty over optimistic.

I predict a draw for this match

why did Ireland turn back with the ball?He should have faced the goal and shoot.

Man City clinches to their 4th spot.
is Liverpool gonna qualify for Europe?

These two clowns have drawn, now tottenham has the 4th position. How sad.

mykali:

Man City clinches to their 4th spot.
is Liverpool gonna qualify for Europe?

i think so. they'll grind out useful results, beginning with a win @ New Trafford

Man City 0:0 Liverpool

The story of this season re-enacted. We can't seem to close out easy games like this one. City were as ordinary as the come. . . .na wa !

Now Villa are on equal points. . . . . . . & we're back to 6th

we're having a bad season, we just need to take care of the rest of matches and try to hold onto that 4th spot till the end of the season. as far as this season is concerned, i have nothing else to say,