Manchester City vs Liverpool, Premier League 2018-19: What time is kick-off, what TV channel is it on and what is our prediction?
What is it?
Only the biggest game of the season so far! Title rivals Man City and Liverpool - Pep Guardiola vs Jurgen Klopp - go head to head at The Etihad. If City win, Liverpool's lead at the top is cut to four points. If Liverpool win, they increase their advantage over the reigning champions to 10. This clash is not to be missed.
When is it?
Tonight! Thursday, January 3.
What time is kick-off?
8pm.
What TV channel is it on?
Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event from 7pm.
What is the team news?
Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne is a doubt for Manchester City. The influential Belgium midfielder missed Sunday's victory over Southampton with a muscle injury and could be sidelined again.
Ilkay Gundogan could return, but Fabian Delph remains suspended and both Benjamin Mendy (knee) and Claudio Bravo (Achilles) are long-term absentees.
Provisional squad: Ederson, Muric, Walker, Danilo, Stones, Otamendi, Laporte, Kompany, Zinchenko, Gundogan, Foden, D Silva, B Silva, Sane, Sterling, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Diaz, Aguero, Jesus.
Liverpool
James Milner is in contention to return for Liverpool. A minor muscular injury ruled Milner out of the Boxing Day win over Newcastle but the midfielder is expected to be available for the Etihad Stadium clash.
Striker Dominic Solanke is struggling with a muscle problem, although he is yet to make a first-team appearance for the leaders this season.
Provisional squad: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson, Milner, Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Shaqiri, Firmino, Mane, Salah, Mignolet, Clyne, Moreno, Henderson, Keita, Lallana, Sturridge, Origi.
What are the current standings?
What are they saying?
Pep Guardiola on what is at stake tonight:
"The reality is clear, we are seven points down. I have the feeling it is a big opportunity for us to reduce the gap.
"We are going to focus on what we have to do to win the game. Everyone is talking if we lose, but what happens if we win? We are going to try to make our game and to fight as far as possible for our chance to win the Premier League.
"It is Liverpool, with (Manchester) United, the best team in England in history. But we can beat them.
"I know today nobody trusts us, nobody makes one coin for us, but it is what it is. They are at the moment the best team in Europe, in the consistency, the way they control the details in their game. It is a good challenge for us if we're going to reduce the gap.
"I have a feeling everyone can beat us but also that we can beat everyone. Last year we beat them 5-0 here - but it doesn't count now.
"Of course if we win we will have more confidence, we will be happier than if we lose. We know exactly which opponent we play, the respect we have. That is the challenge.
"If we want to grow like a club, like an organisation and like a team, we have to face these kind of games with the pressure that means."
Jurgen Klopp on the challenge City pose:
"A very difficult one, one of the most difficult games you can play in the modern football world. We felt that plenty of times. It's a really strong football team with an outstanding manager.
"We have to be prepared as good as possible, we have to be brave, we have to be full of desire, angry, like in all the other games.
"But with the knowledge the opponent is, for me, still the best team in the world. Only the points changed, not the preparation for the game.
"Yes, with the record we had in December, we had a good moment and we have a very, very, very good football team.
"That's why we have the amount of points, that's why we had the results. But we prepare for one game.
"A couple of weeks ago we were a point behind and then (the talk) was if we lose, then it's four points, can you close that gap. It's all only talk. It has nothing to do with the reality.
"A big part of the football world is talking about it before it happens. But we are there to let it happen. We are very excited because it's a very interesting game, we're looking forward to it, but apart from that it's a normal situation."
What are the best odds?
Man City to win EVENS
Draw 11/4
Liverpool to win 5/2
What is our prediction?
Liverpool go into the clash having won three of the last four meetings between the sides but their last league trip to the Etihad ended in a 5-0 defeat last September.
Guardiola has already labelled it a must-not-lose game for his team, stating the title race would be finished should City slip 10 points adrift. Liverpool are on fire, City need to win. This could be a goalfest.
Predicted score: Man City 3 Liverpool 2
Watch Manchester City vs Liverpool through NOW TV with a Sky Sports pass from £7.99
