Venue: Goodison Park
Date: 10/01/2015
Kick-off: 15:00 (BST)
Everton managed to avert a real travesty in the midweek FA Cup 3rd Round clash against West Ham United after Romelu Lukaku grabbed the late equalizer to keep the Toffees alive in the competition by the skin of their teeth.
Despite Lukaku saving Everton’s blushes, it should not take away from the fact that Everton were very poor once again and could not have had any complaints if indeed they were knocked out.
From a positive point of view though, the draw must have handed the Everton side a much needed confidence boost and Roberto Martinez will be hoping that his side can use the result as a catalyst to their rise up the table.
However, Everton will most certainly not have it easy as they come up against champions Manchester City at Goodison Park this weekend and with City desperate for a victory themselves – the Toffees could be set for another long and hard night.
Everton Team News
Martinez fielded his strongest side for the clash against West Ham in midweek and barring a couple of minor changes, the lineup should remain more or less the same.
With Tim Howard still out with injury, young Joel Robles will be starting in goal once again. At the back, there could be a couple of changes as Sylvain Distin and Bryan Oviedo could both drop out in order to allow the duo of John Stones and Leighton Baines to make a return , while Phil Jagielka and Seamus Coleman will be completing the backline.
Muhamed Besic did well against West Ham United and with the fitness of James McCarthy still in doubt, the Bosnian midfielder should continue at the middle of the park alongside Gareth Barry.
In the attacking positions, the trio of Kevin Mirallas, Steven Naismith and Ross Barkley started against West Ham and they should retain their place in the lineup for Saturday’s clash as well. The likes of Samuel Eto’o, Christian Atsu and Aiden McGeady always remain options if Martinez wants to shake things up.
Romelu Lukaku was the savior for Everton during the clash against West Ham and he should be able to fend off competition from Arouna Kone to lead the line for the Toffees once again.
Probable Lineups
Everton (Probable XI): Robles; Baines, Jagielka, Stones, Coleman; Barry, Besic; Mirallas, Naismith, Barkley; Lukaku
Manchester City (Probable XI): Hart; Clichy, Mangala, Demichelis, Sagna; Navas, Toure, Fernandinho, Navas; Silva, Jovetic
Form
Everton: L L L L D
Manchester City: W W D W W
Last Meeting
06/12/2014 Manchester City 1 – 0 Everton
03/05/2014 Everton 2 – 3 Manchester City
Prediction
The draw against West Ham United in midweek can be seen as a good result for Everton but there is no doubting who the favourite is heading into Saturday’s clash.
Manchester City have brilliantly ramped up their bid to chase down Chelsea at the top of the table and are currently in imperious form. Everton, on the other hand, have simply been woeful over the last month or so, and are showing no signs of improvement whatsoever.
However, this is not to say that Everton do not stand a chance and if Martinez’s men play to their optimal level – they can cause a bit of problem for the Citizens.
The match will surely be an enthralling one as both sides will be going for the win but City simply look too strong for Everton at the moment and the Champions should be able to condemn the Toffees to another defeat on the day.
Everton 1 – 3 Manchester City
