Next Monday, 25th of August 2014, the reigning champions, Manchester City, will entertain Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium for the last match of the English Premier League’s second round.

The Citizens had a good start at the Premier League last weekend as they managed to grant the three points after their always complicated visit to St. James’ Park. Manuel Pellegrini’s boys began the defence of their champions’ title against an opponent that never seemed able to upset Joe Hart. Manchester City was, by far, the best team of the match and probably put some ease into the supporters’ minds, who were left with a poor image of the team after the Community Shield clash against Arsenal. The returns of Joe Hart, DeMichelis, Kompany and Agüero helped the Citizens to be more consistent and somehow restore the game style they produced last season.

For the match against Liverpool next Monday, the Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini will have almost the entire squad at his disposal with the exception of Álvaro Negredo, who is currently sideline due to injury. The Citizens’ boss will probably not implement many changes in his teams, although it is possible that Zabaleta may reclaim his place at the starting line-up. Pellegrini will certainly keep pushing with his usual 4-4-2 style, with the newcomer Fernando and with Yaya Touré and Jovetic supporting Dzeko up in the front.

As for Liverpool, who experienced some difficulties in overcoming Southampton at Anfield last weekend, the match against Manchester City will be their first major test so far. After some top quality performances during the pre-season matches, the Reds had an unconvincing start against Southampton on Sunday as they struggled to find ways to disturb a well organized Saints’ side.

Brendan Rodgers maintained the basis of last season’s team, as he only used three of Liverpool’s Summer signings, but the Reds looked lost of ideas and were nothing but a shadow of the team that smashed Borussia Dortmund two weeks ago.

For the match against Manchester City, it is likely that the Northern Irish manager will implement some changes in his team, both on the tactical department and on the starting line-up itself.

When both sides met at the Etihad Stadium back in December, the home side won by 2-1, thanks to goals by Kompany and Negredo. As the Premier League reigning champions, Manchester City have to be considered favourites for the next Monday’s match, although one cannot rule out a team such Liverpool, especially if they manage to replicate some of their pre-season performances.

Manchester City

Stats: W-2 L-3 D-0

Recent Form - WLLLW

Liverpool

Stats: W-4 L-1 D-0

Recent Form - WWLWW

Possible Line-ups

Manchester City (4-4-2) – Hart - Zabaleta - Kompany - Demichelis - Kolarov - Fernando - Touré - Silva - Nasri - Jovetic - Dzeko

Liverpool (4-2-3-1) – Mignolet - Manquillo - Skrtel - Lovren - Johnson - Gerrard - Henderson - Coutinho - Emre Can - Sterling - Sturridge

Prediction

Manchester City 1 Liverpool 1