Etihad, Wednesday, 7.45pm, live on BBC1
MAN CITY'S fortress Etihad was breached by Man Utd in the FA Cup on Sunday – and they'll be determined to avoid a repeat against Liverpool.
After 15 home wins a row and a year unbeaten, United blitzed their neighbours with a three-goal salvo before hanging on after the break.
Premier League leaders City are now out of the FA Cup and Champions League but are hot favourites to reach the Carling Cup Final.
Roberto Mancini's men destroyed Liverpool 3-0 last week and the Italian will be looking for a repeat of that clinical performance.
However, it's unlikely to be as easy and that scoreline didn't really reflect the match.
It was closer than that and it should be tight this time especially with City losing their appeal over key defender Vincent Kompany's ban. He will be badly missed along with Yaya Toure.
City also have doubts over David Silva, Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko and if that trio failed to make it you'd have to question their credentials against a side who usually raise their game for meetings with the big guns.
If their side is close to full strength I wouldn't back against City simply because of that exceptional home record. They are a best 11-10 at William Hill while the Reds are 3-1 almost across the board.
It promises to be as tense as last night's Cardiff v Palace first leg but with Kompany out and Liverpool unlikely to keep a clean sheet there could be over 2.5 goals at 1-1 with William Hill and Chandler. And if you fancy both teams to score you can have 10-11 with William Hill.
With their injury doubts you have to consider Sergio Aguero for first goal at 5-1 with Paddy Power and Chandler. He bagged the opener in that 3-0 win with a shot that squirmed under the body of red-faced Jose Reina.
Best bet for a Liverpool goal could come from on-form ex-City star Craig Bellamy who is 9-1 at Ladbrokes.
Skipper Steven Gerrard is likely to continue his comeback with a start and is 10-1 (various).
City have had a player sent off in both meetings with Liverpool this season and Paddy Power go 8-1 they get a third tonight. A Liverpool sending-off pays 11-2 while any red in the match is 9-2 at William Hill. None pays 1-5 at unibet.
Paddy Power will refund stakes on all the usual markets if anyone is sent packing.
Recommendations
Aguero toscore first
(5-1, Paddy Power, Chandler)
Both teams to score
(10-11, William Hill)
Red card
(9-2, William Hill)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
