Venue: Etihad Stadium
Date: 13/01/2016
Kick-off: 19:45 (BST)
Match
Everton continued their revival with a 2-0 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge in the FA Cup over the weekend and the Toffees will now have earned their confidence back following two very good results in domestic cup competitions.
Now manager Roberto Martinez will surely be keen on his side to bounce back in the Premier League as well but with a clash away to Manchester City up next on Wednesday night, doing so will be anything but easy.
Everton did manage to get one over City during the League Cup encounter at Goodison Park a few days ago and should head into the clash with nothing to fear. By the same token though, City will be out for revenge and Everton will have to be wary of playing against a vengeful Citizens outfit.
Everton Team News
The likes of Joel Robles, Muhamed Besic, Aaron Lennon, Steven Pienaar and Darron Gibson all made rare starts during the clash against Dag & Red and despite their commendable performance though, it looks like all of the aforementioned players will be dropping down to the bench on Wednesday night.
Tim Howard should be making a return back to goal while the central back pairing will be of John Stones and Ramiro Funes Mori as Martinez may probably not want to risk Phil Jagielka with a quick run of games so soon after his long term injury.
With Seamus Coleman likely to be ruled out, Bryan Oviedo may move to the right back slot on the night while Leighton Baines is expected to be back on the left.
James McCarthy and Tom Cleverley are still out injured which means that Muhamed Besic is set to continue at the heart of the midfield alongside Gareth Barry, with Darron Gibson making way. In the wide positions, Kevin Mirallas should start once again while Gerard Deulofeu will be replacing Aaron Lennon.
Romelu Lukaku will undoubtedly be leading the line for Everton during the clash and the Belgian star will be hopeful of continuing his good scoring run against Manchester City.
Probable Lineups
Manchester City (Probable XI): Hart; Kolarov, Mangala, Otamendi, Sagna; Fernandinho, Toure, Sterling, Silva, De Bruyne; Aguero
Everton (Probable XI): Howard; Baines, Funes Mori, Stones, Oviedo; Besic, Barry, Deulofeu, Barkley, Mirallas; Lukaku
Last Meeting
06/01/2016 Everton 2 – 1 Manchester City (League Cup)
23/08/2015 Everton 0 – 2 Manchester City
10/01/2015 Everton 1 – 1 Manchester City
Prediction
Everton do not enjoy the best of records at the Etihad Stadium and they head into the clash on Wednesday as underdogs despite beating City in the League Cup recently.
Nonetheless, there is no doubting the fact that Everton can give any side problems and City will surely not have it easy if they are to be able to claim the victory.
The match should be an entertaining affair but City’s attack looks too strong for the shaky Everton backline and the home side are expected to claim the three points on the night.
Manchester City 3 – 1 Everton
