Man City v Liverpool preview

Reds aim to maintain unbeaten run at Eastlands

Last updated: 5th October 2008

Richard Dunne Manchester City

Dunne: Fitness worry

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: 1-1

SKY BET odds: Man City 9/4, Draw 9/4, Liverpool 5/4

One to Watch: Robinho

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Liverpool put their unbeaten record on the line when they travel to Manchester City on Sunday.

Both sides go into the game buoyed by midweek European victories in the Champions League and Uefa Cup.

The game pits the league's best attack (Manchester City with 16 goals) against the league's meanest defence (Liverpool only two conceded).

City are sweating over the fitness of captain Richard Dunne after he missed Thursday's Uefa Cup victory over Omonia Nicosia.

Dunne is struggling with a hamstring problem and if he misses out Tal Ben Haim is expected to replace the Irishman in the heart of City's defence.

Martin Petrov is pushing for a place in the starting line-up after making his return from a hamstring problem on Thursday, but he is again likely to have to content himself with a place on the bench.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is set to recall Javier Mascherano to his starting XI after he was rested against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night.

Benitez has hinted Mascherano is set to start at Eastlands and Xabi Alonso could be the man to make way for the Argentine.

Ryan Babel is set to shake off a minor knock to take his place in the squad.

Former City man Albert Riera is expected to start wide on the left against his old team-mates.

Possible starting XIs

Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Garrido, Dunne, Richards, Kompany, Elano, Ireland, Robinho, Wright- Phillips, Jo

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Kuyt, Gerrard, Mascherano, Riera, Keane, Torres