Liverpool typically reserve their greatest intensity for matches with Manchester United but they ought to be every bit as animated in the trip to the other Premier League club in that city. Roberto Mancini's chances of keeping his job surely depend on taking fourth place at the expense of contenders such as the visitors. Despite the reported turbulence in the relationship between the manager and some players City have been consistent at home, although Carlos Tevez's absence because of personal matters does impair the team. Kevin McCarra

Venue City of Manchester Stadium

Tickets £39-47 (www.mcfc.co.uk)

Last season Manchester City 2 Liverpool 3

Referee P Walton

This season's matches 16 Y33, R3, 2.25 cards per game

Odds Manchester City 6-4 Liverpool 2-1 Draw 23-10

Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic

Manchester City

Subs from Taylor, Zabaleta, Kompany, Onuoha, Boyata, Bellamy, Sylvinho, Ibrahim, Garrido, Santa Cruz

Doubtful Bellamy (knee), Kompany (groin)

Injured Petrov (knee, 20 Mar), M Johnson (knee, May)

Suspended Vieira (first of three)

Unavailable Tevez (compassionate leave)

Form guide DWLWLW

Disciplinary record Y35 R2

Leading scorer Tevez 13

Liverpool

Subs from Cavalieri, Aquilani, Degen, Ngog, Riera, Babel, Darby, Benayoun, Spearing, Ayala, Pacheco, Kelly, El Zhar

Doubtful Benayoun (back), Carragher (abdomen)

Injured Johnson (knee, 28 Feb), Torres (knee, 28 Feb)

Suspended Kyrgiakos (second of three)

Form guide LWWDWD

Disciplinary record Y37 R5

Leading scorer Torres 12

Match pointers

• If Liverpool win they will have twice as many victories (80) as City from their 159 meetings in all competitions

• City have failed to win in their last nine Premier League meetings with Liverpool

• In their last 14 top flight matches, Liverpool have conceded before half-time on one occasion

• Carlos Tevez has scored 15 goals in his last 15 games for City in all competitions after scoring four in his first 15

• Dirk Kuyt has scored four of Liverpool's last five league goals, with the other being an own goal by Kevin Davies