Big Match Focus: Man City v Liverpool

The rivalry sparks again on Saturday.

Over much of the past seven years, Manchester City v Liverpool has been the standout fixture in the Premier League calendar.

While Arsenal’s rise under Mikel Arteta has threatened the two-team dominance, there are always thrills and spills when Pep Guardiola goes up against Jurgen Klopp.

And while Liverpool stood little chance in last season’s title race, the Reds are firmly in the hunt this time around, and Saturday’s encounter at the Etihad Stadium sees first take on second.

While no title race will be decided 13 games in, City have already lost to one of their big rivals — when they went down 1-0 to Arsenal in October.

That was City’s second Premier League defeat of the season, and they have won five of their six games in all competitions since then — with the odd result in that run coming before the international break in that thrilling 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have suffered just one defeat in the top flight so far — and that came in highly contentious fashion at Tottenham, and Klopp’s team will be out to prove that they are firmly back in the running once again.

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DATA BRIEF

It’s not just first against second in the real table, but City and Liverpool are also considered the top dogs in Understat's expected points metric.

City have taken 28 points in reality, where they would have been anticipated to take a league-leading 26 points based on the quality of their performances.

Liverpool, meanwhile, would be second if the data had been followed precisely, with their 27 points having come from 24.2 xPTS.

City have won their last 23 home matches in all competitions, and one more victory would equal the record for an English top-flight side. Liverpool, meanwhile, have lost just one of their last 23 Premier League games (W15 D7).

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