Expected goalfest may not materialise

FOOTBALLERS and coaches often say that you learn more from defeats than from victories – usually when their team has just been thumped 6-0 by a Conference North team in the cup.

If that's true then tonight's game between Manchester City and Liverpool could be a defensive masterclass.

Bookmakers are expecting a high-scoring clash between swashbuckling City and the fearless Reds but I reckon it could be a lot tighter than most people think.

Remember last season, when Jose Mourinho's Chelsea produced a couple of brilliant away performances to win at Eastlands and Anfield?

Manuel Pellegrini and Brendan Rodgers may have finished above the Blues last term but they'd also have to admit that Jose well and truly stuffed them in the big games.

And I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a more pragmatic gameplan from the two managers in this game, especially as it comes so early in the season.

Pellegrini could pack the midfield with Fernando and Fernandinho (he's probably got Gelson Fernandes and Les Ferdinand up his sleeve too) and Liverpool's quality on the counter-attack must have been reduced by the departure of Luis Suarez.

So I'm going against the grain and backing under 2.5 goals tonight. Jose knows best, remember.