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An exciting big-name clash awaits at the Etihad Stadium at Saturday lunchtime as Manchester City host Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
After securing their first piece of silverware in the Carabao Cup before the international break, City are hunting for more with the FA Cup a realistic possibility having reached the final last season.
As for Liverpool, winning the FA Cup could save theirs as they are not guaranteed to qualify for the Champions League next campaign via the Premier League, and face a tricky two-legged affair against reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our free expert FA Cup predictions!
Contents
Manchester City vs. Liverpool key stats
- City have scored in 15 successive home games in all competitions.
- Liverpool have lost three of their last four away matches across all competitions.
- City won both H2Hs this season.
Manchester City vs. Liverpool preview: City to sail into semis?
| Man City | vs | Liverpool |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd (Premier League) | Position | 5th (Premier League) |
| 61 | Points | 49 |
| 60 | Goals For | 50 |
| 28 | Goals Against | 42 |
| 12 | Clean Sheets | 9 |
| 2nd | Home Rank | 6th |
| 3rd | Away Rank | 8th |
After a poor 2024/25 season by their standards, City have improved a lot this campaign.
They have already claimed silverware in the Carabao Cup, are still in the FA Cup, and are nine points behind Arsenal in the Premier League title race with a game in hand.
Over 2.5 goals has come through in five of City's last six home games.
However, there is still a cloud over the Etihad with reports that Pep Guardiola has not signed a new contract and will settle his future at the end of the season.
Still, if it is to be his last with City, the Spaniard will want to go out on a high, starting with an FA Cup triumph against Liverpool this weekend.
Their opponents have hit almost an opposite spiral, as the joys of winning the Premier League last season have come crumbling down.
Indeed, Liverpool are almost certainly not going to retain their crown, and arguably their best chance of winning silverware this campaign is the FA Cup.
Liverpool have won just once in four matches (D1, L2).
The Reds face off against PSG in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final just a few days later, which already seems a daunting task.
Arne Slot is under pressure to deliver once again, but Saturday's trip to City could prove to be a bridge too far.
Manchester City vs. Liverpool form guide & betting tips
| Man City | vs | Liverpool |
|---|---|---|
| W-L-D-L-W | Form | W-L-D-W-L |
| 7 | Goals For | 9 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 5 |
| W-W-W | FA Cup form | W-W-W |
Whispers predicts: Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool
City are 4/5 favourites with bookmakers on home soil, and we feel inclined to agree.
Combining a home victory with BTTS seems a smart bet here, as Liverpool should still cause City problems defensively with their form near-identical and having scored more goals (nine) across their last five games.
City to win & BTTS - Yes at 21/10 is our first pick.
Nico O'Reilly made quite the impact in the Carabao Cup final, scoring both goals as City beat Arsenal 2-0 before the international break, and the Englishman could carry his momentum into this match by making an impact.
O'Reilly to score or assist at 12/5 is therefore a tempting punt to us.
Overall, we are predicting a narrow City victory, and it could be a repeat of the 2-1 scoreline in the reverse fixture at Anfield in the league earlier this year.
Correct score - 2-1 at 15/2 is our final pick.
> City to win & BTTS - Yes at 21/10 | Likelihood: Possible
> O'Reilly to score or assist at 12/5 | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score - 2-1 at 15/2 | Likelihood: Outsider