Everton – Manchester City Match Preview
Everton, the only team that failed to pick up a single point over the festive period after losing to Stoke, Newcastle and Hull, are slipping down the table and need to bounce back quickly if they are to save their season and hope for a European qualification. Goodison Park is usually a tough ground to travel to, but manager, Roberto Martinez, has faced Manchester City 11 times in the BPL as a manager and has yet to beat them (D1 L10). Everton have recovered the fewest points from losing positions in the Barclays Premier League (two) and it really does look like City have it in them to secure maximum points. Sylvain Distin limped off in the second half of the midweek 1-1 FA Cup draw with West Ham and is expected to miss the welcome of Manchester City, with John Stones set to partner Phil Jagielka at centre-back. Tony Hibbert, Tim Howard, Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar on the sidelines, while Christian Atsu will miss out due to his participation in the African Cup of Nations, with James McCarthy and Leighton Baines are doubts.
Manchester City are finally level on points with Chelsea at the top of the Premier League after having worked tirelessly to drag themselves into this and Manuel Pellegrini will expect his players to inflict further damage upon an out-of-sorts Everton. The Citizens have won 8 of their last 10 matches in the Premier League and this run included a 1-0 win at home against Everton at the start of the December. This form, combined with the fact that City have won each of their last 3 fixtures against the Toffees (including a 2-3 win at Goodison en route to the Title last season) suggests that they are favourites for the away win. Matija Nastasic and Sergio Aguero are both injured (with the Argentinean close to returning to fitness), Edin Dzeko and Vincent Kompany are both doubts for the trip to Goodison Park whilst Yaya Toure is certain to miss the encounter due to his particpation in the African Cup of Nations.
Our Probable Formations:
Everton (4.2.3.1) Robles, Coleman, Jagielka, Stones, Oviedo, Barry, Besic, Mirallas, Naismith, Barkley and Lukaku.
Manchester City (4.2.3.1) Hart, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Mangala, Clichy, Fernando, Fernandinho, Navas, Silva, Nasri and Jovetic.
Some hot Tips:
Man City have won 8 of their last 9 matches in the Premier League.
Man City have scored at least 2 goals in 11 of their last 13 away matches in the Premier League.
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 8 of Man City’s last 10 games in the Premier League.
Everton have lost their last 4 matches in the Premier League.
Man City have been winning at both half time and full time in their last 3 away matches in the Premier League.
Man City have been winning at both half time and full time in their last 3 matches against Everton in all competitions.
Man City have won their last 3 matches against Everton in all competitions.