Ex-Man City and Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann says this weekend’s clash between his two former clubs could prove to be a defining game in their seasons.
Asked by Footballblog.co.uk whether it is a ‘must-win’ fixture for Pep Guardiola‘s side, Hamann wouldn’t go that far, but he feels a defeat on Sunday could prove terminal for their title ambitions:
“Liverpool are seven points behind Arsenal, and City are a point better off. So I don’t think that it’s a must-win for either side, but I don’t think either side can afford to lose. Then you might end up 10 points behind, and you’ve got to go to play them again in the second half of the season.”
“It’s an awful lot to make up, against a team that doesn’t concede any or many goals. I think for confidence, for self-belief, I wouldn’t say the team that loses is out of the title race, but almost.”
Arsenal could be 9 points ahead of City heading into the match
The league leaders will be playing Sunderland on Saturday evening, and if the Gunners do secure a win at the Stadium of Light, there will be big pressure on both City and Liverpool heading into the fixture the following day.
Although we are still just over a quarter of the way through the campaign, Mikel Arteta’s team have already built a sizeable advantage and the Cityzens can’t afford for it to get too much bigger.
What are the odds for Man City v Liverpool?
Bookmakers have made Guardiola’s men the favourites, which is expected as the match is being held at the Etihad. They are currently 10/11 odds-on with the majority of betting firms.
A draw is priced at between 14/5 and 3/1, while a victory for the visitors has pretty similar odds – between 13/5 and 11/4.
Read more about the Man City First Team Squad for 2025/26 here
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