With Manchester City competing in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup Final, the Champions League and also chasing the Premier League, it is going to be a busy period for Pep Guardiola’s team, so much so that the game they were scheduled to play against Everton on the weekend of the Carabao Cup Final, has been moved to Wednesday 6th February to allow City to prepare for that fixture.
Everton are in the midst of a poor run of results but they will have vocal backing at Goodison Park as they take on a Manchester City side that don’t have the best of records on Merseyside. However with rivals Liverpool being City’s closest rivals for the title, could there be split loyalties for some Everton fans who may well want City to pip their neighbours to the title?
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Let’s begin by previewing the teams involved in this important Premier League match.
Everton v Manchester City – Preview
Originally, this game was to be played the weekend of the 23rd February, but the match was moved with Manchester City involved in the Carabao Cup Final against Chelsea on that weekend. Let’s now take a look at the current situation of both teams.
Everton
Current Form
- V Wolves (H) – L 1-3
- V Huddersfield (A) – W 1-0
- V Millwall (A) – L 2-3 (FA Cup)
- V Southampton (A) – L 1-2
- V Bournemouth (H) – W 2-0
- V Lincoln City (H) – W 2-1 (FA Cup)
- V Leicester City (H) – L 0-1
- V Tottenham (H) – L 2-6
- V Manchester City (A) – L 1-3
- V Watford (H) – D 2-2
Last Ten Record – Won – 3, Drew 1, Lost 6. For 14, Against – 21.
It has been something of a torrid time for Everton over the last ten games. Their only wins in the Premier League were at home to Bournemouth and away to Huddersfield and in that time they have lost six games in total, including an FA Cup upset at Wolves. They have lost three of their last four Premier League home games and when they played City back in December, they were beaten 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
Everton Team News
Leighton Baines got a rare start against Wolves but gave away a penalty and then went off injured in the first half and it is likely therefore that Lucas Digne, who was suspended for that game, will return at left back. Yerry Mina and Phil Jagielka will both likely miss out, meaning Zouma will partner Keane in central defence for Everton.
The most interesting thing will be to see whether Idrissa Gueye, subject of a failed transfer deadline day move by PSG, will return from a slight knock to take his place in midfield, or whether he may well miss out once again.
Everton Predicted Team – (4-3-1-2) – Pickford, Coleman, Digne, Keane, Zouma, Gomes, Gueye, Bernard, Sigurdsson, Richarlison, Walcott.
Manchester City
Current Form
- V Arsenal (H) – W 3-1
- V Newcastle (A) – L 1-2
- V Burnley (H) – W 5-0 (FA Cup)
- V Burton (A) – W 1-0 (Carabao Cup Semi Final 2nd Leg)
- V Huddersfield (A) – W 3-0
- V Wolves (H) – W 3-0
- V Burton (H) – W 9-0 (Carabao Cup Semi Final 1st Leg)
- V Rotherham (H) – W 7-0 (FA Cup)
- V Liverpool (H) – W 2-1
- V Southampton (A) – W 3-1
Last Ten Record – Won 9, Drew 0, Lost 1 – For 37 Against 8
A shock defeat at Newcastle apart, it has been a fine run of form for Manchester City over the past ten games, where they have racked up nine wins and scored an incredible 37 goals in the process (although 17 of those did come against lower league opposition in cup competitions). In terms of form, City are sweeping most teams aside and it is rare that they suffer a stuttering performance that they did against Newcastle. They won at Everton last season despite a poor record against the Merseysiders and Pep Guardiola will want the same again from his team this time around.
Manchester City Team News
Pep Guardiola’s problematic area of the team has been left back and with Mendy still not 100% fit, I expect him to play Laporte at left back once again, bringing Stones into defence alongside Otamendi and allowing Fernandinho to play in his usual midfield role. I’d expect Sane to come into the team and with De Bruyne playing almost a full game on Sunday, I’d back him to be on the bench with Bernardo Silva coming in to replace the Belgian as he tries to get back to full fitness.
Man City Predicted Team – (4-3-3) – Ederson, Walker, Laporte, Stones, Otamendi, Silva.B, Silva.D, Fernandinho, Sane, Aguero, Sterling
Everton v Man City – Top Tips
Full Time Result – Manchester City to win (3/10)
With Liverpool being held at West Ham on Monday night, City know that a victory at Everton will move them top on goal difference over the Reds heading into the weekend’s games and that may well be a huge motivating factor for Guardiola’s team.
Everton have proved tricky opponents for City in the past, they famously beat Pep Guardiola’s team 4-0 a couple of seasons ago, but they were well beaten 3-1 last season and in truth, given their current form, especially at home, it is hard to see how the home side can get a result here.
As such, I’m backing City for the win, though I think City to win and both teams to score at 5/4 with bet365 is a better value bet.
Anytime Goalscorer – Raheem Sterling (Man City) – 11/10
The Manchester City winger has enjoyed another excellent campaign and while he was not amongst the goals against Arsenal at the weekend, he played a big part in that victory. He scored in this fixture last season and I think he is due another goal some time soon and this could well be the game he gets it, especially against this leaky Everton defence.
Correct Score – Everton 1-3 Manchester City – 10/1
City’s defence do give you a chance if you can get at them but the problem most teams have is getting at them enough to make it count. I think that is the problem Everton will face and while I can see the home side scoring, I can see City scoring at least two, if not more goals against an Everton side shipping goals at home at an alarming rate.
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