Live streaming of Manchester City vs. Liverpool in the League Cup: channel, timing, odds, and a prediction
On Thursday, Liverpool and Manchester City will face off in the League Cup round of 16 in a game that could easily pass for the championship. After the World Cup break, both teams will be fired up, and this will provide them a fantastic opportunity to practice before returning to Premier League competition, where neither team can afford to lose any points. With games on Thursday and Monday, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have plenty of time to play their starting and give them time to rest in between.
In particular, Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah will be prepared because neither attacking star was at the World Cup. In order to temper expectations, Guardiola stated, “I have World Cup players who are in greater condition than [those who didn’t travel.
Teams did play friendly matches, but since players are creatures of habit, it may take some time for the rhythms of playing frequently to seep back in, especially with a condensed schedule. Because of that, this may resemble a high-level preseason friendly where teams take their time to get going in the beginning and then pick up speed as the game goes on.
How to watch and the chances
- Date: December 22 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time
- Location: Manchester, England’s Etihad Stadium
- No television | ESPN+ live stream
- Odds: Liverpool +245; Draw +255; Manchester City -103 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Storylines
City of Manchester: With a clear medical report, the City’s main priority will be player integration in addition to winning the game. Guardiola believes that World Cup participants are in better shape, so they will likely make up the core of the lineup with players like Haaland who weren’t in Qatar filling in the gaps. There are some minor minute issues for World Cup competitors, but it’s crucial to remember that England doesn’t have a winter break, so the Premier League contingent’s match volume isn’t that unusual compared to other major five leagues. They will be missing Argentina’s Julian Alvarez, the World Cup champion, who is still in his home nation enjoying the victory.
Liverpool: The Reds don’t currently have any fresh injuries, but the ones they do have are serious. Curtis Jones will be out through the entire new year along with Luis Diaz, Arthur Melo, and Diogo Jota, and only Jones has a possibility of coming back before February. It is unclear whether or how certain players who competed in the World Cup knockout rounds will contribute.
Prediction
This match will begin slowly and quickly turn into a back-and-forth battle that favors Manchester City in what will be a wild contest. Pick Liverpool 2, Manchester City 3, and.
