Manchester City vs Everton Preview and Prediction

Manchester City vs Everton Match Preview

Manchester City host Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday in their Premier League clash as the reigning champions aim to maintain pressure on Liverpool.

With 49 points from 22 games, the Sky Blues are currently second in the league table but have a game in hand over the Reds, who are now just two points clear of first position after their loss to Arsenal last weekend. A win for City would mean the holders leapfrogging their arch-rivals into pole position and taking back the title initiative, a prospect that is very likely considering their blistering run of form

Pep Guardiola’s swashbuckling team will come into the fixture on the back of nine consecutive wins in all competitions, including five in the league. Their last two outings have produced a score of 3-1, first against Burnley and then over Brentford, with Phil Foden netting a sensational hat-trick at the Gtech Community Stadium. City haven’t lost a game since a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa on 7 December 2023, a run that currently stands at 12 games.

By contrast, Everton are mired in a relegation battle once again this season as the Merseyside outfit languishes in 18th position with just 19 points. They haven’t won any of their last six top-flight matches, but have drawn their most recent three. On Saturday, Everton managed to avoid a loss to Tottenham Hotspur in spectacular fashion with Jarrad Branthwaite scoring an equaliser in stoppage time. Sean Dyche’s side showed encouraging fighting spirit in the match to earn a valuable point in their bid for survival, while sending a message that they aren’t going down so easily.

Team News and Predicted Lineups 

Manchester City

The three-time defending champions also currently hold the distinction of being the only team in the Premier League with no serious injuries right now. With Manuel Akanji returning to the bench in their last clash, Pep Guardiola has the entire squad at his disposal and might as well stick with the same XI that made lightwork of Brentford in their last clash.

Kevin De Bruyne has hit the ground running since returning from a lengthy injury spell and will be tasked with pulling the strings once more with the peerless Erling Haaland leading the line. The Norwegian has a 100% scoring record to Everton, having netted in both their league clashes last season. He missed their earlier meeting with Everton this season with an injury, but is available this weekend, and will have his sights on that run.

Predicted XI: Ederson; Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol; Rodri; Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden; Erling Haaland

Everton

Unlike Manchester City, Everton don’t have the luxury of an injury-free squad, with a few of them currently in the treatment room. Arnaut Danjuma is out with an ankle injury, Dele Alli is nursing a groin problem, and Andre Gomes will miss out with a knock to his calf. 

Furthermore, Abdoulaye Doucoure remains doubtful with a thigh issue, whereas Amadou Onana and Ben Godfrey’s participation on Saturday isn’t confirmed either.

Predicted XI: Jordan Pickford; Nathan Patterson, James Tarkowski, Jordan Branthwaite, Vitalii Mykolenko; Ashley Young, James Garner, Idrissa Gueye, Dwight McNeil; Jack Harrison; Dominic Calvert-Lewin 

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Head-To-Head

Last 5 games head-to-head

Everton 1-3 Manchester City (Premier League; December 2023)

Everton 0-3 Manchester City (Premier League, May 2023)

Manchester City 1-1 Everton (Premier League, December 2022)

Everton 0-1 Manchester City (Premier League, February 2022)

Manchester City 3-0 Everton (Premier League, November 2021)

Evidently, Manchester City have dominated the fixture in recent times, with Everton managing to avoid a loss in just one of their last five clashes. On that day, Demarai Gray scored the equaliser after the hour mark as the Toffees frustrated their mighty hosts with a resolute display. With four clean sheets in their last six games in all competitions, Everton are likely to sit deep and forbid City from having too much space to work into.

Prediction

Manchester City are the overwhelming favorites to prevail at home. With Liverpool within touching distance, the champions will take no prisoners in the game and go all out in their pursuit of three points. Sure, Everton held them to a draw on their last visit to the Etihad, but lightning doesn’t strike twice. City are just unstoppable, right?

Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Everton

Betting Tips

• Manchester City win
• Over 2.5 goals: yes
• City to score first: yes

Odds

• Manchester City: 1.22
• Draw: 6.40
• Everton: 13.00
• Odds Source: Oddspedia

Manchester City vs Everton Timing and Telecast

• Date and Time: Saturday, February 10th at 12:30  PM GMT
• India: Star Sports, Hotstar
• UK: Sky Sports, TNT Sports (formerly BT Sports)
• US: NBC

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