Man City vs. Liverpool: Pep and Klopp go head to head in early Saturday Kick off

Premier League giants Manchester City and Liverpool trade tackle in Saturday early kick off as the Premier League title hopefuls lock horns at the Etihad Stadium.

Both clubs currently sit in the top four having collected seven League points from their opening three Premier League games, though Manchester City are still searching a first home victory after drawing at home 1-1 against Everton.

The Reds, on the other hand, have won their two home matches – including a 4-0 thrashing of rivals Arsenal – but drew their only away match in a 3-3 encounter at Watford on the first match day of the League season.

A victory for either Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp in Saturday’s match would send the winner top – at least before high flying Manchester United play their match later in the day.

Team news
Guardiola only have Ilkay Gundogan injured, with the midfield maestro handed a lot of time to be fully fit following last campaign’s severe knee injury.

Kyle Walker is expected to return to the squad having served his one-match ban.

Brazil international Philippe Coutinho could be fit enough to play for Liverpool after the midfielder – yet to play for Liverpool this term following his transfer request amid FC Barcelona’s unsuccessful bid- represented Brazil on international duty.

Manager Jurgen Klopp may prefer to stick with the same set of players that overran rivals Arsenal at Anfield Stadium before the international break, but he also has Englan international Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to dress following his £40million transfer from Arsenal.

Adam Lallana with a thigh injury and Nathaniel Clyne still nursing a hamstring injury are all expected to miss out.

Klopp handed Belgian Simon Mignolet a much-needed rest against Arsenal but might start the goalkeeper against Manchester City.

Probable Starting line-ups
Predicted Manchester City XI: Ederson, Kyle Walker, Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Otamendi, Mendy, Kelvin De Bruyne, Fernandinho, David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling.

Predicted Liverpool XI: Simon Mignolet, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Joel Matip, Lovren, Moreno, Can, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Mohammed Salah, Firmino, Sadio Mane.

Head to head
Manchester City – 53
Liverpool – 101
Draw – 52