City must give Stones the shield to deny Reds

HAVING been knocked out of the Champions League in midweek, Manchester City can hardly be relishing the visit of Liverpool to the Etihad tomorrow.

The Reds have an excellent recent record between the sides, having won the last four league games.

Speaking to BetVictor, brand ambassador and ex-Liverpool striker Michael Owen expressed disappointment at the tactics of Pep Guardiola in Monaco.

He said: “David Luiz has looked a world-beater so far this season for Chelsea as the central defender in their back three but he plays behind N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic. I’d love to see City’s John Stones (right) play that particular role with that defensive shield in front of him.”

City are odds-on at 20-21 to keep the points, with the draw 11-4 and a Liverpool win 29-10. Liverpool are unbeaten in their last nine against other top-six sides.

City are vulnerable defensively and the recommendation is for a draw with both sides to net at 18-5.

Romelu Lukaku is 7-4 to be the Premier League’s top scorer after Harry Kane limped off against Millwall last Sunday. The Belgian has indicated he will not sign a new Everton deal and we have odds on the striker to sign for a different club before September 3 this year – Chelsea 5-2, United 5-1, Arsenal 8-1, PSG 8-1, City 10-1 and 16-1 bar. Spurs remain unbeaten at home in the league, while tomorrow’s opponents Southampton have hit four in their last two.

The last time they scored four goals in three straight league games, in 1980, it included a 4-4 game at White Hart Lane! A repeat tomorrow is 325-1.

With the prolific Kane out, the tip is for Saints on the double chance (win or draw) at 23-10.