Third place Manchester City host fourth place Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon (4.30pm kick-off) as both sides look to consolidate their places in the Premier League’s top four.

Pep Guardiola’s City are a point and a place above the Reds going into today’s encounter, although did get knocked out of the Champions League on Wednesday night after a 3-1 defeat in Monaco saw them draw 6-6 on aggregate, and thus lose on the away goals rule.

Nonetheless, their league form has been fine in recent weeks, given that they have won four of their last six, and haven’t tasted defeat at the Etihad Stadium since losing 3-1 to Chelsea all the way back on December 3.

However, it’ll be tough against a Liverpool side who relish playing against the top sides, given that they are unbeaten in their nine games against the top six, and have lost just once against those teams since Jurgen Klopp took over back in October 2015.

The Merseyside outfit have also hit a bit of form in recent weeks, winning three of their four league matches, which has seen them move into the top four and five points clear of Arsenal in fifth.

So, with the build-up well underway ahead of today’s clash, we have analysed the THREE key battles which could well determine the outcome at the Etihad Stadium…

Gael Clichy v Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane has been the brightest spark for Liverpool this term, and he’ll be the man they look to in their bid to cause a shaky Manchester City backline problems this afternoon.

The Senegalese international has scored 12 goals and laid on five assists for the Reds this term, which means that, despite missing most of January away on international duty, the 24-year-old has been directly involved in more goals than any other Liverpool player this season (Lallana is second with 14).

And with three goals and one assist in his last four Premier League matches, Mane is in the sort of form that will concern the City defence, most notably left-back Gael Clichy.

The former Arsenal defender has started 15 of their 27 league matches this season, and has been a regular in the side in recent weeks, starting their last five games in all competitions.

With his contract up in the summer, the French international will be playing for his future and Guardiola’s backing over the coming weeks and months, and being able to tame a confident Mane would go some way to proving his worth to the City manager.

Whether he’s playing as a wing-back or a natural full-back, Clichy will have to be defensively disciplined against Mane to keep him quiet and potentially help City to all three points.

Yaya Toure v Emre Can

Several Premier League matches are won in the midfield department, and two men with uncertain futures at their respective clubs will line up against each other in a bid to win the midfield battle.

City’s Yaya Toure started the season in the wilderness and out of their Champions League squad, before returning to the team with a bang by netting a brace in their 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace back in November.

Since then, the Ivorian has been a regular feature but didn’t start against Monaco on Wednesday, and City’s inability to get a foot-hold in the game could persuade Guardiola to start the 33-year-old this afternoon.

Whether his future remains at the Etihad remains to be seen, he is out of contract in the summer, yet Guardiola will hope that Toure can get the better of Liverpool’s Emre Can in the midfield battle this afternoon.

The German international looks set to deputise in place of captain Jordan Henderson again this afternoon, and given that he produced a fine display to help the Reds see off Burnley 2-1 last time out, the 23-year-old is in good form and confident in that Liverpool midfield.

Can is another whose future remains slightly uncertain, with contract talks reportedly on hold, but another performance like against Burnley today could go some way to determining his future at the club.

Both men are strong and move the ball well under pressure, and getting the better of the other will be key in deciding which side comes out on top at the Etihad Stadium.

Leroy Sane v Nathaniel Clyne

City attacker Leroy Sane has been in scintillating form for the Citizens since the turn of the year, and will once again be one of their go-to men this afternoon.

The German international has scored four goals and laid on two assists in his last six games for the Manchester side, with the 0-0 draw at home to Stoke the only game where he hasn’t directly contributed a goal since the middle of February.

His pace and trickery has been a key feature in City’s relentless attacking play in recent weeks, and it’s something Liverpool defender Nathaniel Clyne will have to deal with at the Etihad today.

The England defender has been an ever-present in the Premier League for the Reds this term, with his incredible consistency and ability to affect things in both boxes a key part of Liverpool’s play.

This afternoon, the 25-year-old will know that he’ll have to be disciplined defensively and marshal Sane well, otherwise the City man will get a lot of success down the Liverpool right, and potentially win the game for the hosts.