Manchester City and Liverpool square off in the biggest game of the European domestic soccer season on Sunday.
City comes into Sunday’s clash at the Etihad Stadium with a one-point advantage in the Premier League title race over Liverpool.
The two squads played to a 2-2 draw in their first meeting at Anfield back in November.
The big difference from the buildup to that game is the lack of concessions from both defenses.
Manchester City gave up two goals in its last eight games, while Liverpool allowed three tallies in the same span.
There will be a ton of attacking talent on the pitch on Sunday, but both defenses have been too good lately to expect a high-scoring affair.
Other games played on Saturday and Sunday carry important stakes, whether it be for Champions League spots, or in relegation battles, but the primary focus will be Man City-Liverpool.
Soccer Selections
Overall Record: 123-133
Manchester City vs. Liverpool (Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET)
Under 2.5 Goals (+120)
Manchester City and Liverpool have been fantastic on the defensive side of the pitch over the last month-plus.
City allowed six goals since the start of February, three of which occurred in a loss to Tottenham Hotspur.
Liverpool’s last multi-goal concession came on January 2 against Chelsea in the Premier League.
The Reds’ run of four straight clean sheets was ended by Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Both teams just came off high intensity European games and they turn around fast to play the second legs on Wednesday.
We should see a cautious approach out of both teams, which may lead to a stalemate that does not get broken until late in the second half, it at all.
Everton vs. Manchester United (-130) (Saturday, 7:30 a.m. ET)
It brings me no pleasure to bet on my team against a club desperate for a result.
I know how this typically goes over the last few years for Manchester United.
However, I am confident United will take care of Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday morning.
Everton lost five of its last six games and it conceded nine goals in its last three matches.
Manchester United should feast on the poor Everton defense that looks bound for relegation at the moment.
Arsenal (-150) vs. Brighton (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET)
Brighton is spiraling down the Premier League standings.
The Seagulls have not won since February 12 and they were held scoreless in six of their last seven games.
Arsenal should make easy work of its visitors in an attempt to rebound from a 3-0 Monday loss to Crystal Palace.
FC Koln (+155) vs. Mainz (Saturday, 9:30 a.m. ET)
Mainz is one of the three worst teams on the road in the Bundesliga.
Mainz picked up eight points from 14 road games this season.
That is a troubling trend for a team looking to remain in the top 10 of the Bundesliga.
FC Koln should take advantage of that on Saturday. It is 7-4-3 with a +4 goal differential on its home soil in league play.
Mallorca vs. Atletico Madrid (-105) (Saturday, 10:15 a.m. ET)
Typically I would stay away from teams in the middle of the Champions League ties.
However, Atletico Madrid is in too good of a spot to pass up against Mallorca.
Atleti owns five straight wins in La Liga action, while Mallorca is on a seven-game losing run in league play.
Diego Simeone’s Atleti needs a win to stay above Sevilla and Real Betis in the tight race for the Champions League spots in the La Liga table.
This should be a solid spot for Atleti to take three points and keep everyone healthy for Wednesday’s clash with Manchester City.
Napoli (-130) vs. Fiorentina (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET)
Napoli needs to keep the pressure on AC Milan at the top of the Serie A standings.
The second-place side in Serie A should handle its home clash with eighth-place Fiorentina.
Fiorentina has 16 goals in 15 road matches this season and it holds a -6 goal differential. The Viola fell to Napoli in their first meeting early in the campaign.