Premier League Matchweek 29 preview: City v Liverpool brings the fireworks

As we enter the last quarter of the Premier League season, the two biggest clubs of the last five years clash in a vital matchup for both sides.

We preview Manchester City v Liverpool and two other key Matchweek 29 fixtures.

Manchester City v Liverpool, Saturday 12:30

The two biggest English clubs of recent times meet in another critical match that could define their respective seasons as we edge closer to the final day.

This time last season this match would have been much harder to predict and though nothing is set in stone there is one side that emerges as the clear favourite. Manchester City are 8/13 to win here and continue their push for the title that slips further away with every point dropped.

Liverpool on the other hand are doing everything they can to propel themselves towards a top four finish after a very poor season and are only 9/2 to win here, one of the widest odds they have had in this fixture in years.

It will likely be a close match despite the odds as the two sides always create an entertaining nail-biting tie, and though Liverpool have been well below par this season, they have got the better of City once already and there is no reason why they can’t again; they have the players and the manager.

The Reds have just struggled to be consistent this season and this one might be a bridge too far with City gunning for every last point. In truth it could get bad for Liverpool and quickly if they don’t turn up on the day and we can envisage the opposite of the 7-0 defeat they inflicted on Manchester United earlier in the season. We are backing Pep Guardiola’s side to score more than four goals at 9/2.

City are still without Phil Foden through injury and Erling Haaland is not yet confirmed to be fit, but we can still see the rout getting going quickly and Julian Alvarez to score first at 9/2 offers great returns. We especially like odds of City’s first goal coming from the first to 15th minute at 29/10.

Brighton v Brentford, Saturday 15:00

This fixture is the highlight of the weekend for us. The two go into the game only separated by goal difference with Brighton occupying seventh and Brentford eighth, two spots usually reserved for Tottenham or Chelsea with both playing their best football in decades.

It’s hard to say who comes out on top here so we will go for a draw at 29/10, offering good returns but if one team is going to win we can see Brighton pulling it out of the bag at 13/20.

Though Brentford are the underdogs there is no chance they will roll over here. They have had a fantastic season and are likely only under favoured as Brighton have been in the Premier League slightly longer.

This game will feature goals, something both teams have been supplying from the get-go and we expect their excellent runs to continue. Over 3.5 total match goals offers good value at fairly short odds, this is our pick.

With goals come goalscorers and there are plenty to chose from in this tie. We like the look of Evan Ferguson to score at anytime at 6/4 but our choice is Ivan Toney to score two or more at 10/1 – he’ll be riding high in confidence after his England debut.

Newcastle v Manchester United, Sunday 16:30

This is a huge tie for both sides. It could help Newcastle back towards the top four places and could see Manchester United cement themselves Champions League football for next season; neither side will want to give in here.

Both sides have players in form; Marcus Rashford has been United’s standout player this season and may be fit after injury, Alexander Isak looks to be back in action after a long injury for Newcastle and both sides have top class managers know how to get points in important matches. Strap in for a cracker.

Newcastle are 11/8 favourites to find a way through this matchup and while United are underdogs at 15/8 we are backing them for the win. United have had a great season and always carry a threat no matter what kind of form they are in and Newcastle’s recent lack of goals may come to haunt them.

We can expect determination from each side and at this critical point of the season, experience tends to count for a lot, the most senior players usually playing a big part for the winners. With Newcastle slightly lacking in that department, United are better prepared but we are backing Newcastle give it a good go. Kieran Trippier and Bruno Fernandes to both assist a goal at 18/1 therefore is our longshot of the weekend.

If you are looking to build an accumulator, both teams to score at 7/10 and Alexander Isak to have over one shot on target at 13/10 offers good returns.