Venue: Goodison Park
Date: 3/05/2014
Kick-off: 17:30 (BST)
Match
Everton’s dreams of claiming a Champions League spot were virtually ended last week, following a crushing 2-0 loss at the hands of Southampton where the Toffees shot themselves in the foot with two own goals.
Despite the disappointment though, one should not forget the fact that it has been a wonderful campaign for the Toffees under Roberto Martinez and they will surely be looking to spoil Manchester City’s title aspirations when the Citizens pay Goodison Park a visit on Saturday, even if it meant that it may improve fierce rivals Liverpool’s chances of lifting the title.
Everton still stand a mathematical chance of making it into the top four but it will depend on Arsenal slipping up. While a Champions League spot now looks a distant dream, Martinez will surely want to end their final home game of the season with a good result to cap off a marvelous campaign.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Manchester City will be desperate for all three points on Sunday and Everton will have to be wary, given the Citizens plethora wonderful attacking players. The match looks set to be an exciting and Everton could potentially decide the fate of the title with an upset on Saturday evening.
Everton Team News
Martinez is hopeful of the return of captain Phil Jagielka for the clash while Sylvain Distin is still rated as a doubt.
Jagielka may well return to the lineup but Distin’s return looks unlikely, which means that young John Stones will continue at centre back, with Antolin Alcaraz dropping out.
Seamus Coleman scored a horror own goal last week but will surely look to bounce back, while Leighton Baines has shaken off the knock he had received against the Saints and will start at left back.
Gareth Barry will be ineligible to face his parent side so Leon Osman looks the likely candidate to partner James McCarthy in midfield while Ross Barkley also provides another option.
With Kevin Mirallas out, Gerard Deulofeu will continue on the wings, with Steven Naismith being deployed on the other flank. Irishman Aiden McGeady will be an alternative for Martinez as wekk. Romelu Lukaku will be leading the line but will surely switch places with Naismith as the game wears on.
The likes of Arouna Kone, Darron Gibson, Steven Pienaar and Bryan Oviedo are all still ruled out due to various injuries.
Probable Lineups
Everton (Probable XI): Howard; Baines, Jagielka, Stones, Coleman; Naismith, McCarthy, Barkley, Osman, Deulofeu; Lukaku
Manchester City (Probable XI): Hart; Clichy, Kompany, Demichelis, Zabaleta; Nasri, Fernandinho, Toure, Silva; Aguero, Dzeko
Form
Everton: W W L W L
Manchester City: W L D W W
Last Meeting
05/10/2013 Manchester City 3 – 1 Everton
16/03/2013 Everton 2 – 0 Manchester City
Prediction
The clash on Saturday may well prove to be Manchester City’s most important game of the season in their title aspirations and perhaps as a result, the Citizens have been placed as favourites ahead of the game.
That being said, Everton have a marvelous record against the Sky Blues, having won nine of their last thirteen Premier League matches between the two teams.
Everton will surely have to be wary of the likes of Yaya Toure, David Silva, Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero as they can split any defence in the world apart, especially when the quartet are so hungry for a victory.
However, the Toffees should also look to take advantage of their visitors desperate need for the three points by looking to frustrate City’s attacking stars early on and try to make chances of their own as the game progresses.
Martinez’s men proved against Manchester United a few weeks ago that they can be very effective on the counter and perhaps a similar tactic should be employed on Saturday against City.
The match will be an exicting one full of goals of considering City’s attacking lineup and their need of picking up all three points, Manuel Pellegrini’s men will probably claim a hard fought narrow victory.
Everton 1 – 2 Manchester City
