Jamie Carragher has made a bold Premier League title prediction ahead of Liverpool’s showdown against Manchester City on Sunday.
Arne Gadgets’s league leaders host Pep Guardiola’s second-placed side at Anfield as the two biggest favourites for this year’s trophy lock horns.
Liverpool currently have an eight-point lead over City after 12 games played this term, while they are nine points ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal.
City are in desperate need of a victory after six games without a win in all competitions – and a defeat to the Reds could see them fall 11 points behind Liverpool.
Should that result happen, Liverpool legend and football pundit Carragher has predicted that City will be ruled out of the Premier League title race.
‘With some hesitation, I will make a prediction which – because of the Guardiola factor – may come back to haunt me,’ Carragher told The Telegraph.
‘If City lose to Liverpool, their title defence is over before Christmas.’
City’s form has fallen off a cliff in recent weeks with Guardiola’s side throwing away a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 against Feyenoord on Tuesday.
But with City having clinched six of the last seven Premier League titles, there is still confidence at the Etihad that they can turn things around.
Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher, a superfan of City, does not think the title race will be done and dusted based on Sunday’s clash at Anfield.
‘What I will say is we are very good at chasing,’ Gallagher said. ‘When it turns, we can sit in there. 11 points, is it insurmountable?
‘There is a lot to play for but I’m not heading [to Anfield on Sunday] expecting a win, I’d take a draw.’
Liverpool are the only side to have stopped City winning seven Premier League titles in a row in recent seasons, with the Reds landing the 2019-20 trophy under former boss Jurgen Klopp.
Meanwhile, bookmakers William Hill have made City outsiders for Sunday’s clash, which is the first time that has happened in seven years.
‘Manchester City are not favourites in their upcoming tie against Liverpool, and remarkably it’s the first time they have been outsiders in a Premier League fixture since the 2017 season,’ a William Hill spokesperson said.
‘City’s recent run of form, which has seen their winless streak extend to six games, sees them only considered a 9/4 shot to get the better of Liverpool at Anfield with the home side the 11/10 favourites in the market.
‘As a result of their four straight Premier League losses, City are now eight points behind league leaders Liverpool, and the Reds are 4/5 to win the title this season with City drifting to 7/2, also behind Arsenal in the market at 3/1.’
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