It’s back to English Premier League play with time running out for Manchester City to track down Arsenal at the top of the standings. They can ill afford a loss to Liverpool, a team further down the standings and one City beat 3-0 earlier in the season.
One of the most successful English soccer programs, Man City won four straight EPL titles from 2021-2024 and has won six crowns in the last 8 seasons. A recognizable brand for soccer fans in the U.S. increases their gambling interest.
Liverpool was the club that interrupted City’s run of EPL titles winning in 2020 and again last season to tie Manchester United for the most league championships with 20. Man City leads the EPL in goals, but potential absences on the back could impact how they perform in this match.
Manchester City at Liverpool Preview
Liverpool hosts Manchester City in the second EPL match of the season between the clubs on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. ET from Anfield in Liverpool, England. The match will be streamed on Peacock.
Public Betting Odds Factors
- With their recent success in the Premier League as well as strong seasons, both Man City and Liverpool are positioned as top teams in the soccer betting market.
- Man City has strengthened its brand with recent success in the Premier League and on the international stage.
- Led by Erling Haaland, who has scored 20 goals in 24 league matches, Man City leads the EPL with 49 goals scored. Teammate Antoine Semenyo is 3rd with 12 markers.
- Following a stretch of 5 winless league matches there were reports of a fractured Liverpool locker room. Virgil van Dijk insisted the team was all in following last weekend’s 4-1 win over Newcastle United. “If you don’t perform you get criticism,” van Dijk said.
- Liverpool got a much-needed jolt of confidence in its previous match beating Qarabag 6-0 to advance to the Round of 16 of the Champions League.
- Mohamed Salah provided a boost to the Liverpool offense scoring his first with the club since November in the Qarabag match.
Manchester City at Liverpool Predictions
- Man City has responded to consecutive losses by going unbeaten with 2 wins and a draw in 3 matches leading up to its Carabao Cup contest with Newcastle United. The quick-strike offense was back in form netting 2 goals in each of those 3 games.
- Averaging more than 2 goals per match in the Premier League is evidence of Man City’s ability to create offense. The club scored 10 goals in a romp of Exeter in a FA Cup match last month.
- Liverpool’s EPL title defense has hit a few snags but recent suggests the club isn’t going to pass the crown willingly. They’ve outscored the last 2 opponents 10-1 and have tallied multiple goals in 5 of their last 6 matches since a 0-0 draw with league leading Arsenal.
Manchester City at Liverpool Betting Tips
- Man City has lost points this season due to defensive lapses and things aren’t looking good on the injury front. Josko Gvardiol remains out after sustaining a broken leg in a match with Chelsea last month.
- Manager Pep Guardiola was forced to juggle his lineup and although several matches have been played since the injury, players in unfamiliar roles could be exploited by Liverpool’s pressing and quick transitions.
- With both sides knowing anything less than 3 points could be damaging to their EPL title hopes, we can expect to see some wide open play from sides with goals likely from sides that are accustomed to putting the ball in the net, so the over in EPL odds could be worth a look.
- Liverpool looks much different than it did during a 3-0 loss to Man City in November. They have just one loss in their last 16 matches and outscored their last 2 opponents by a combined 10-1.
Manchester City at Liverpool Head to Head and Key Stats
- Man City got goals from Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez and Jeremy Doku to win 3-0 when the clubs met at Etihad in November ending a 2-match losing streak.
- Liverpool won both matches by the same 2-0 score on its way to the Premier League title last season.
