03.01. (Tue) 21:00 Manchester City FC vs Liverpool

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER CITY Hart Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy Milner, Toure, Barry, Nasri Silva Aguero

LIVERPOOL     Reina Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique Henderson, Gerrard, Adam, Downing, Suarez, Bellamy

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini should make changes to his team and bring back David Silva following the defeat to Sunderland. Micah Richards was on the bench during that game, and should likely be handed a starting role against the Reds.

Meanwhile, Gael Clichy and James Milner are also likely to get the nod ahead of Aleksandar Kolarov and Adam Johnson. Mario Balotelli was thought to have sustained a knock, due to his absence from the squad against the Black Cats. He could come into the fray if his fitness is not in doubt.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish could hand skipper Steven Gerrard a start, at the expense of Jay Spearing, in this clash after a strong substitute performance against Newcastle. Likewise, Craig Bellamy may start after getting a brace in the 3-1 win. Luis Suarez should be available as his eight-game ban is pending an appeal and he may start ahead of Andy Carroll.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Manchester City have beaten these opponents only once in their last 13 Premier League meetings.

• City have won all nine of their league games at home this season.

• Roberto Mancini's men have been the most prolific in the attacking third of the pitch, scoring 53 goals this season.

• City had been undefeated until they met Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. They have now lost twice in five matches.

• The Eastlands club may have scored the highest number of goals in the league so far, but they have gone two games without scoring a single goal.

• Liverpool have the best defensive record in the Premier League, having conceded only 15 goals so far.

• If all matches ended at half-time, the Merseyside club would have move up one place to fifth in the standings, whereas City would have fallen to second.

• The Reds have won 29 of the Manchester meetings between the sides while the hosts have emerged victorious on only 25 occasions . A further 21 matches have ended as draws.

• Liverpool have scored 297 goals against City throughout the course of the two clubs' histories, conceding 207 in the process.

Prediction

Liverpool are playing well and getting the results they need to move up the table, and now come across a City side that has not scored in two games. Moreover, confidence may not be as high as it used to be in the Eastlands camp, having lost two matches in their last five in the league. It should provide the platform for the visitors to probe for three points, but it would appear unlikely considering the hosts' record at home.
City have won every single league game at home, but could be stopped as this should likely end in a draw.

Editor's Prediction

Manchester City 1-1 Liverpool

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03.01. (Tue) 20:45 Tottenham vs West Bromwich Albion

PROBABLE LINEUPS

TOTTENHAM Friedel  Walker, Kaboul, Gallas, Assou-Ekotto Pienaar, Sandro, Modric, Bale Van der Vaart Adebayor

WEST BROM Foster Jones, McCauley, Dawson, Shorey Thomas, Scharner, Morrison, Tchoyi Long, Odemwingie

High flyers Tottenham will welcome West Brom to White Hart Lane without the ever reliable Scott Parker in midfield after he picked up a knee injury, meaning Harry Redknapp is likely to bring in Steven Pienaar for a rare start. Rafael van der Vaart’s goal against Swansea means Jermain Defoe is likely to be on the bench whilst Redknapp will likely remain without Aaron Lennon (hamstring), Tom Huddlestone (ankle) and Ledley King (hamstring).
West Brom are likely to be without Jonas Olsson after the Swede picked up a knock against Everton, so Craig Dawson, who started the last game at left-back, is likely to partner Gareth McCauley in the heart of defence.
Chris Brunt picked up an injury late on against Everton so Somen Tchoyi is expected to play left-midfield.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The last meeting between the two sides at White Hart Lane finished 2-2 with Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko netting for Spurs and Simon Cox and Peter Odemwingie for the Baggies.

• Tottenham have not lost at White Hart Lane in the Premier League since their opening game against Man City.

• Of the six Premier League games that West Brom have won this season, four of them have come away from the Hawthorns.

• In the last 10 meetings between the sides, Tottenham have won four and West Brom just two.

• This fixture in the Premier League has seen an average of 2.82 goals per game.

• Of players still at the clubs, Defoe has scored more (three) than any other in this fixture.

• Bale has scored seven times in the Premier League this season, which is as many as he managed in the whole of the 2010/11 campaign.

• West Brom’s backup goalkeeper Martin Fulop is the only player in the two squads that has been on the books of both sides.

Prediction

Tottenham have been ruthless in front of their home fans this season and with their attacking players in fine form and injuries to the West Brom defence, I am sure this will not end goalless. West Brom are dangerous up top with Long and Odemwingie but you just can’t look past Redknapp’s men for the win as they push for the title.

Editor's Prediction

Tottenham 3-1 West Brom

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