Defending Premier League champions Manchester City have the chance to briefly climb above their title competitors Liverpool to the top spot if they defeat Everton at the Etihad Stadium this Saturday afternoon.
The Citizens rallied from a goal down to win 3-1 at Brentford on Monday, while Everton managed a 2-2 tie with Tottenham Hotspur two days prior.
Match preview
After being defeated by Brentford both at home and away last season, Man City faced the possibility of another loss to the Bees when Neal Maupay’s counter-attack goal shocked the visitors in the first half. Mark Flekken’s outstanding goalkeeping also kept Man City from scoring.
However, Phil Foden’s goal just before halftime changed the game’s direction in Man City’s favor. The homegrown talent scored again eight minutes into the second half and completed an impressive hat-trick at the 70-minute mark, aiding the Citizens in their quest for a record fourth consecutive Premier League title as they moved closer to the top.
Pep Guardiola’s squad is now just two points behind leaders Liverpool with a game in hand, enjoying another winning streak at a crucial season phase. They’ve won their last nine games in all competitions with a total score of 27-6.
Earlier in this winning streak, Man City defeated Everton 3-1 at Goodison Park. Given their record of 11 wins and two draws in their last 13 league games against the Toffees, the Citizens are optimistic about their chances this Saturday.
The champions are looking forward to three straight Premier League home games, having performed exceptionally well at the Etihad, winning 29, drawing five, and losing only one of their last 35 matches there.
They also haven’t lost any of their last 23 home league games against relegation-threatened teams, which is promising for their upcoming match with Everton.
Everton, after winning four consecutive Premier League games without conceding a first-half goal in early December, haven’t won in their last six league games, dropping into the bottom three.
Following two consecutive goalless ties with Aston Villa and Fulham, Everton drew 2-2 with Spurs last weekend. Goals from Jack Harrison and Jarrad Branthwaite, the latter scoring a 94th-minute equalizer, offset two goals from ex-Toffee Richarlison.
Despite challenges on and off the field, Sean Dyche praised his team’s spirit for earning a late point and hopes this result can jumpstart their season as they aim to escape relegation.
Everton’s recent struggles come as relegation rivals Luton Town have gained eight points from their last five games, moving above Everton. The Merseysiders now face the challenge of playing five of the top eight teams in their next six league matches.
Everton hasn’t won in their last 12 visits to the Etihad, with seven losses and five draws, and their last Premier League win against Man City was in January 2017 – Guardiola’s first match against Everton and his biggest league defeat as a manager.
Manchester City Premier League form: D W W W W W
Manchester City form (all competitions): W W W W W W
Everton Premier League form: L L L D D D
Everton form (all competitions): D D W L D D
Team News
Man City enters this weekend fully fit, with Erling Haaland and Manuel Akanji, who were part of the squad against Brentford, recently recovering from injuries.
Despite only one clean sheet in their last 12 league games, Guardiola might consider changing his defense, with Akanji, John Stones, and Rico Lewis vying for spots.
Mateo Kovacic or Matheus Nunes could join Rodri in midfield, while Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku, and Oscar Bobb compete for attacking positions alongside Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, Julian Alvarez, and Bernardo Silva, who all supported Haaland against Brentford.
For Everton, Arnaut Danjuma missed the Spurs game with an ankle injury, and he remains sidelined along with Andre Gomes (calf) and Dele Alli (groin).
However, the return of dynamic midfielders Amadou Onana (knee) and Abdoulaye Doucoure (hamstring) could boost the team, and Ben Godfrey is expected to play despite recent cramps.
Godfrey will compete with Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson for a start at right-back, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin likely leading the attack, supported by Harrison and Dwight McNeil on the wings.
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson;
Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol;
Rodri;
Bernardo, De Bruyne, Alvarez, Foden;
Haaland
Everton possible starting lineup:
Pickford;
Patterson, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko;
Harrison, Garner, Gueye, Onana, McNeil;
Calvert-Lewin
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Everton
In a crucial match for both teams, Guardiola and Dyche should easily motivate their squads to go for the win, but Man City enters as the clear favorite.
Although not perfect defensively, Man City’s offense, especially with Haaland back, has the edge needed to outscore Everton.
