A morale-boosting win against Southampton on Sunday will give Manchester City a lift heading into a huge game against Liverpool this week.

The Reds’ 5-1 victory over Arsenal at the weekend means they are high in confidence, unbeaten in the league and looking to extend the gap to Pep Guardiola’s side.

The Citizens will need no extra motivation with three points meaning the title race would be blown wide open.

However, midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is a major fitness concern. He did not travel for the game against the Saints due to a knock and Guardiola is uncertain whether the Belgian will be fit for Thursday.

Ilkay Gundogan also missed the trip to St Mary’s but is expected to be fit to face Liverpool. Benjamin Mendy (knee), Claudio Bravo (Achilles) and Eliaquim Mangala (knee) all remain on the treatment table. Fabian Delph is still suspended after his red card against Leicester.

Liverpool will be without James Milner who is suffering with a hamstring injury. Joe Gomez (fractured leg), Joel Matip (broken collarbone) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) are unavailable.

The bookies have made City slight favourites and they are 21/20 at Betway. A draw is 29/10 at Bet365 while a Liverpool win is 13/5 at BetVictor.

Manchester City’s Predicted XI To Face Liverpool:

Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Danilo, Bernardo Silva, Fernandinho, David Silva, Sterling, Aguero, Sane

Liverpool’s Predicted XI:

Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, van Dijk, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Keita, Salah, Firmino, Mane

Predicted Score – 1-1