There are two Premier League games on Sunday but all eyes are sure to be in what looks like a mouth-watering clash at Anfield as Liverpool host leaders Manchester City, kick off at 4pm.
City have been more than impressive on the domestic front this season and are unsurprisingly installed as the favourites in the match betting, although punters can get 13/8 about the side that has won 6-1 at Manchester United and 5-1 at Tottenham.
The Blues have won 11 and drawn one of their opening 12 games to establish a five-point cushion at the top of the Premier League but history is against them in the big match on Sunday.
Liverpool have only lost once at Anfield in 22 games and 30 years against City and that came in 2003, while they coasted to a 3-0 win in this fixture last year.
City have strengthened since then but it was still a squad capable of finishing third in the table last time around, while the Reds have also spent big to improve the options available to boss Kenny Dalglish.
Although Liverpool boast an unbeaten home record in the league this term, they have drawn four of the six games, whilst finding the back of the net has also been a problem with just eight goals scored in front of their own fans.
The defence has been miserly though so the star-studded forward ranks of the leaders may not find it as easy – despite amassing 42 goals in the 12 games so far, and scoring at least three goals in their last six top-flight games.
Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko have both hit double figures this term and need to be considered in the goalscoring markets, although Mario Balotelli (5/1 First/Last Goalscorer, 11/8 Anytime) could be the one to side with after scoring nine in his last 10 games.
It may pay to wait for team news on that front while Liverpool have plenty of options of their own so who starts up front is open to question – with the exception of Luis Suarez, although he has scored just four goals in the Premier League this term.
City’s is by far and away the best attack and their defence has not been too shabby either, but with the Reds’ defence in good form as well, this could turn out to be a tight one (Under 2.5 Goals 10/11, Over 2.5 Goals 4/5).
What may work in Liverpool’s favour though, not withstanding the recent record in the fixture, is the fact that City’s Champions League hopes are hanging by a thread after the 2-1 defeat at Napoli in midweek and they may struggle to put those troubles behind them.
The Reds have also gone nine matches unbeaten, won 2-1 at Chelsea last week, have not lost in eight (W6 D2) against the Manchester clubs, Arsenal and Chelsea, while they have had a full week to prepare.
Swansea have made a promising start to their first season in the Premier League, not least because of their home form, and they have been installed as 5/4 favourites to pick up another three points against Aston Villa at the Liberty Stadium.
The Swans have been beaten just once – by Manchester United – on home soil, winning three and drawing two, and have only let in two goals, the best home defensive record in the division.
Villa are yet to win away this season – their worst start since 2003 – and are available at 12/5 to make it a first on Sunday, with the draw on offer at 9/4.
There was no disgrace in losing at Tottenham last Monday but the manner of the defeat would have been a little worrying as they offered little threat, mustering just three shots in the 90 minutes.
In fairness to boss Alex McLeish, the Villans have been tough to beat on the road in the sense that they have drawn four of their six games and with a tough run of fixtures in December coming up, one should expect a response from the West Midlands giants.
It is difficult to see this one being full of goals given the scoring record of the two sides so a draw could be the best way to go at 9/4.
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There was no Europa League action on Thursday which means a full Premier League programme on Saturday to get stuck into with some intriguing matches lined up, not least the opener of the day when Everton host Manchester United.
Summer signing Christian Poulsen has admitted it will take him a while to settle into life at Liverpool and adapt to the hectic pace of the Premier League (6/4 – top-4 finish).