Friday 6 April 2018 10:30, UK
The Soccer Saturday pundits are all predicting Manchester City to secure the title on derby day, but suspect Liverpool will slip up at Everton.
Jurgen Klopp's men will be looking to build on the momentum from their 3-0 Champions League win when they visit Goodison Park in the early kick-off, while Pep Guardiola's men can find the perfect remedy to their defeat by beating neighbours Manchester United in Saturday's late kick-off to secure the Premier League title.
Here's what Phil Thompson, Paul Merson, Matt Le Tissier and Charlie Nicholas are predicting for the two clashes...
Thommo says: Emotionally and physically, Wednesday night would have taken it out of the Liverpool players. Mohamed Salah won't be risked on Saturday, Sadio Mane took a knock, but Jordan Henderson will certainly be involved after picking up that booking which rules him out of the second leg.
I'd hope Klopp will still go as strong as he can as Everton will be up for this. I don't think they put in one tackle against Manchester City last week but you can bet your bottom dollar they will be fired up for it.
I think if we can take the sting out of this game with an early goal then we'll get a positive result, because if they get frustrated another time then I can see their fans boiling over, so the first goal is going to be crucial but Jurgen Klopp's selection concerns me.
Thommo predicts: 1-1 and Roberto Firmino to score first (25/1 with Sky Bet)
Merse says: I just don't see it being an important game for Liverpool, I really don't. I just can't see them playing their full team. They're already in the Champions League next season in my opinion, they're 10 points clear of Chelsea going into the weekend.
It's one of them where they've got an important game coming up. They worked hard the other day so if Klopp goes and plays a full team I would be shocked.
Merse predicts: 1-0 and Theo Walcott to score first (75/1 with Sky Bet)
Charlie says: Well after the midweek result, people will say Liverpool are tired but they also have tremendous momentum. Klopp rotated when he didn't really need to in the reverse fixture and you wonder which of their front three will make it.
If Salah was fit then I could see an annihilation but I think if Everton are still in the game in the final 30 minutes then they've got a good chance of getting something as Liverpool will be on their knees.
Charlie predicts: 2-2 and Mane to score first (70/1 with Sky Bet)
Le Tiss says: I'm only going for such a low score because of the amount of effort put in at Man City. Klopp will rest a few and I wouldn't expect Salah to play, but I still think they'll be too strong and I'm backing a Mane brace in their main man's absence.
I know it's a derby but there's not much for Everton to play for at this stage of the season and they've hardly shown the sort of fight required so far.
Le Tiss predicts: 0-2 and Mane to score first (35/1 with Sky Bet)
Thommo says: Again it will be interesting to see how Pep goes with his team. He's got another six games to win the league so does he need to play his best side? Probably not.
But I'm still going to a City victory because they have enough, with the response we're expecting, and I fancy Raheem Sterling, who had a pretty tough night on Wednesday, to fire them to the title.
Thommo predicts: 2-0 and Sterling to score first (25/1 with Sky Bet)
Merse says: I expect Man City to win. If you could say to Manchester United a 0-0 draw, I think they'd chop your arm off. I think United will turn up and play for a 0-0, but I just don't see City not breaking them down before 90 minutes is up. United won't play the way Liverpool play, they haven't got the legs to do that all around the pitch.
City's confidence will be shot. They will have lost a lot of confidence from that Liverpool loss - no shot on target in 90 minutes, the way they've been playing.
The only team that can upset City are Liverpool, because they're the only side that plays that way against City. I think other teams are scared, they go into games against City and show too much respect, but Liverpool's success starts from the front three - they've got pace and close down properly.
Merse predicts: 1-0 and Sterling to score first (22/1 with Sky Bet)
Charlie says: People will expect City to be angry and frustrated and, while they'll want to rebuild momentum for the first leg, they don't need to win the title this weekend so Pep will keep them patient.
I think Jose will park the bus, irritate, frustrate and show little interest in attacking. It will be arduous at times with great tension, but I see City getting the job done, perhaps late on.
Charlie predicts: 2-1 and Gabriel Jesus to score first (22/1 with Sky Bet)
Le Tiss says: I don't think there's any doubt that we'll see a defensive approach from United, and that's not even just because Liverpool did it successfully in the second-half on Wednesday.
It is how Mourinho has approached every big away game this season but, with the title on the line, I think we'll see a reaction from City and they'll get the job done.
Le Tiss predicts: 2-1 Sterling to score first (22/1 with Sky Bet)
