Venue: Etihad Stadium
Date: 06/12/2014
Kick-off: 17:30 (BST)
Match
After a wonderful run of form, Everton have stumbled a bit as the Toffees claimed only one point from a possible six during clashes against Tottenham Hotspur and Hull City over the week.
The slip up has proven to be detrimental to Everton’s European hopes and they will most certainly need to bounce back with a good result in their upcoming clash.
However, it will be anything but easy as the Toffees prepare for a daunting trip to the Etihad Stadium to square off against champions Manchester City on Sunday evening.
Although it is not impossible to get a result against City, Manuel Pellegrini’s men seem to be hitting top form at the right moment and if Everton do not put an improved performance – they are surely set to succumb to another defeat.
Everton Team News
Everton are still without the services of James McCarthy, John Stones and Darron Gibson for the clash while the duo of Arouna Kone and Bryan Oviedo are not fully fit as of yet, despite featuring in a reserve match over the weekend.
The back five of Tim Howard, Seamus Coleman, Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines should remain unchanged for the clash but with Antolin Alcaraz back in contention following his recovery from a shoulder injury, the Paraguayan international could come in for Distin.
In the absence of McCarthy, Mohamed Besic and Gareth Barry should continue their partnership at the middle of the park while Samuel Eto’o looks certain to start this weekend after the Cameroonian international was rested against Hull in midweek.
Ross Barkley and Kevin Mirallas started in midweek but Aiden McGeady and Steven Pienaar should also be in contention after making a cameo appearance.
Romelu Lukaku looks set to be in line for another start and the striker will be hoping to continue his form in front of goal after having found the back of the net against Hull.
Probable Lineups
Manchester City (Probable XI): Hart; Kolarov, Demichelis, Mangala, Sagna; Nasri, Toure, Fernandinho, Navas; Aguero, Dzeko
Everton (Probable XI): Howard; Coleman, Distin, Jagielka, Hibbert; Barkley, Barry, Besic, Mirallas; Eto’o, Lukaku
Form
Manchester City: D W W W W
Everton: D W W L D
Last Meeting
03/05/2014 Everton 2 – 3 Manchester City
05/10/2013 Manchester City 3 – 1 Everton
Prediction
Everton have beaten Manchester City six times in their last ten meetings but heading into Saturday’s clash, City will be the overwhelming favourites due to their wonderful run of form in recent times.
While Everton seem to be the hoodoo team for City, they did manage to do the double over the Toffees last season and given the contrasting forms of the two sides – Manuel Pellegrini’s men should confident of another victory.
Evidently the main man for the Citizens will be Argentine superstar Sergio Aguero, who has been in a brilliant run of form of late.
Therefore, it goes without saying that Everton’s defensive duo of Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin will have to put in a herculean performance to stop Aguero on the day.
It is not just Aguero who poses a threat to Everton though as the likes of Yaya Toure, Jesus Navas and Samir Nasri are capable of genius as well and the midfield duo of Muhamed Besic and Gareth Barry will have to put in strong display in midfield as well.
From Everton’s point of view in attack, the quality of Samuel Eto’o and Romelu Lukaku will be key and if they can give the Toffees something to hold on to earlier on in the game – Roberto Martinez’s men could well cause an upset.
The match will be an entertaining encounter for sure but Manchester City look much stronger than Everton and should be able to claim a comfortable victory at the end.
Manchester City 3 – 1 Everton
