Man City vs Liverpool Prediction
🔊 On Saturday at the Etihad Stadium, the fate of the first FA Cup semifinalist will be decided. For Manchester City, this tournament represents a chance to secure a double in what is likely Guardiola's final season at the helm. For Liverpool, it's almost their last hope to clinch a trophy in a campaign that has been underwhelming, to say the least. Amidst all this, a farewell to a legend is set to unfold: Mohamed Salah will play his final match at the Etihad in a Reds shirt. Can the Egyptian star help his team advance to the semifinals?
Head-to-Head
📊 This will be the ninth meeting between the teams in the FA Cup. Liverpool have won the last four head-to-head cup encounters, including a victory in the 2021/22 semi-final where Sadio Mane scored twice (3-2). However, this season City have already defeated the Reds twice in the Premier League: 3-0 at the Etihad and 2-1 at Anfield. So, the psychological edge currently lies with the Citizens.
H2H Stats Matches and Previous Teams Results
Manchester City Team Overview
The "Citizens" head into their FA Cup quarter-final clash fresh off a victory against Arsenal in the League Cup final (2-0). They put on an impressive display, stepping up their game in the second half, catching their opponents by surprise. Nico O'Reilly netted a brace, and with this triumph, Pep Guardiola's side ended their trophy drought that had lasted since 2024.
It's worth noting that the "Sky Blues" have won their last 17 home matches in the FA Cup and are on the brink of setting an all-time record for the longest home winning streak in the tournament's history. On their road to the current quarter-finals, Guardiola's men have dispatched Exeter (10-1) and Salford (2-0), as well as overcoming a more formidable challenge from Newcastle (3-1).
Match Results: Manchester City
Liverpool Team Overview
The Reds find themselves in a precarious position, currently sitting fifth in the Premier League. Since the start of spring, they've managed just two wins in six matches. They showcased a brilliant performance against Galatasaray (4-0), securing a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals, but suffered an unexpected defeat to Brighton (1-2) in their last match before the international break. Arne Slot's side simply ran out of steam, and in some respects, they were fortunate to concede only two goals (xGA 2.7).
Interestingly, this very Brighton was ousted by Liverpool (3-0) in an earlier stage of the FA Cup. The Merseysiders have been progressing confidently through the tournament, averaging 3.3 goals per game. However, they haven't faced any truly formidable opponents. Apart from the Seagulls, they've dispatched Barnsley (4-1) and Wolverhampton (3-1).
Match Results: Liverpool
Latest news
Manchester City
📝 According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City's management will allow Pep Guardiola to decide his own future. The Telegraph reports that the Spaniard has postponed his decision until May. Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca remains the leading candidate to replace Guardiola.
❌ The defensive situation is far from ideal. Josko Gvardiol is out for the season with a broken leg, while Ruben Dias and John Stones are doubtful. Pep Guardiola confirmed that Stones returned to training on Thursday but will be eased back cautiously. If the pair of center-backs do not recover in time, Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov are expected to start. James Trafford is likely to keep his place in goal after an impressive performance in the League Cup final.
Liverpool
🎙 Arne Slot on Mohamed Salah after the news that the Egyptian will leave the club at the end of the season: “Mohamed Salah is a true legend. I hope he can make his story even more significant in the coming weeks and months as we continue to fight for something special. But he will forever remain a legend of this club because, as I've said before, Liverpool's successes in recent seasons have been largely due to his contributions.”
❌ Long-term residents of the "Reds" injury list include Giovanni Leone, Wataru Endo, Conor Bradley, and Stefan Bajcetic. Mo Salah and Federico Chiesa, who missed the match against Brighton, have returned to fitness and are ready to play. Alisson Becker remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, so Giorgi Mamardashvili will once again take his place in goal. Jeremie Frimpong, who picked up an injury while on duty with the Netherlands, has successfully passed his medical examination and will be available. The main intrigue is the return of Alexander Isak, who has been recovering from a fibula fracture since December. The Swede has returned to training and may be included in the matchday squad.
🟨 Yellow Card Prediction
The match will be officiated by Michael Oliver. The English referee has overseen 23 Premier League games this season, issuing 67 yellow cards, averaging 2.9 per game. However, in his last five matches, that average has spiked to 4.2 cautions. Oliver was also in charge of the previous FA Cup clash between Man City and Liverpool, where he handed out 5 yellows.
In this FA Cup quarter-final, with a spot at Wembley on the line, tensions will be high. Both teams are highly motivated. They have an identical average of 1.4 cards per game over their last ten matches across all competitions. However, logic suggests that in a knockout scenario, those numbers will rise. Considering the intensity and Oliver's officiating style, betting on over 3.5 cards seems justified.
⚽ Goal Prediction
City have been relentless at home in the FA Cup, securing 17 consecutive wins with a goal difference of 49:9. Meanwhile, Liverpool have consistently found the net at the Etihad in 7 of their last 8 encounters. With neither side expected to field their strongest line-ups, the likelihood of mistakes increases. A sensible bet under these conditions is both teams to score (yes).
🚩 Corner Prediction
Over their last 10 home games across all competitions, City average 5.7 corners per match, while Liverpool average an even higher 7 on the road. Their head-to-head meetings also show a trend towards more corners, as you can verify here. All signs point to over 9.5 corners being a viable bet.
🚀 Player Stat Bet
Mohamed Salah heads to the Etihad following the announcement of his departure. The Egyptian has scored 255 goals in 435 matches for the club, making every upcoming game significant. Facing City is not just another match; it's the start of a long farewell and possibly his last chance to win a trophy in a Reds shirt.
Manchester City is one of Salah's favorite opponents. In 25 matches against them, he has scored 13 goals and provided 8 assists. Moreover, Salah has been effective in the FA Cup, scoring in the previous two rounds. He remains a pivotal figure in big matches. Our bet is on a Mohamed Salah goal at odds of 3.55*.
😱 Risky Bet
City are virtually unbeatable at home in the FA Cup, but Liverpool traditionally pose a challenge for them. The head-to-head record in FA Cup encounters leans towards the visitors: the Reds have won the last four cup meetings. Their success wouldn't be a massive shock, and the odds are quite tempting. Consider a Liverpool win at 4.30*.
👀 If the Match Doesn't Go as Planned
If City score early and assert their dominance, they might slow down the pace. This season, Pep Guardiola has occasionally deviated from his usual tactics, so we might see City playing more defensively. In such a scenario, look for a live bet on over 5.5 Liverpool corners, as they could dominate possession while trying to level the score.
*Odds are indicative and may vary across different bookmakers.
Editorial Prediction
Manchester City enter the match with defensive issues at center-back, but they have the backing of their home crowd and a wealth of cup-winning experience. Liverpool, on the other hand, have been inconsistent, but the international break might have had a positive impact on the Reds. Both managers express great respect for their opponents, yet it's the players who will decide the outcome on the pitch. The individual skill of the forwards on both sides is exceptionally high, and defensive vulnerabilities are present, with backup goalkeepers likely to start between the posts. Therefore, our main pick is both teams to score (yes)-a bet that has won in six of the last eight head-to-head encounters at the Etihad. Our predicted scoreline is 2-1.
Betting Tips: Manchester City - Liverpool
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