In the first of several rescheduled Premier League matches to come over the next few months, Everton welcome Manchester City to Goodison Park.
Following Liverpool’s draw at West Ham on Monday, City can go top with victory so do Everton try and help their local rivals or hand the title lead to the Citizens?
Team news
Everton will have Idrissa Gueye available after recovering from a groin injury,
Phil Jagielka (knock) and Yerry Mina (foot) are ruled out whilst Leighton Baines is doubtful with a rib injury.
Lucas Digne however returns from suspension and could go straight into the starting eleven.
Manchester City have no fresh injury concerns as captain, Vincent Kompany remains sidelined with a muscular issue.
Claudio Bravo (Achilles) is still out for rest of season whilst Benjamin Mendy is slowly being eased back into first-team action after knee surgery.
Form
Everton enter this game with four wins in their last 11 matches across all competitions.
At home, the Toffees have taken just one win in their last six league games despite scoring in five of those matches.
Manchester City are unbeaten in nine of their last ten matches across all competitions, but have conceded in their last two.
City however have lost three of their last five away league games, despite taking the lead in their last two losses on the road.
Stat Attack
- Everton are unbeaten in three of last five despite losing last two meetings with Manchester City (W1, D2, L2)
- Man City have won the last two clashes by a 3-1 result whilst both draws during last five meetings ended 1-1.
- Five of City’s last six goals in this fixture have come from Gabriel Jesus (3) and Raheem Sterling (2).
- Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling have both made nine assists for Man City, one less than Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.
- Everton have produced the most crosses this season out of all Premier League teams, so far this season with 549 crosses made.
Prediction
For Man City, this is a huge match for two reasons yet a chance to place the physiological pressure on Liverpool who will have a game in hand come full time.
My first concern is their recent away form because they have been inconsistent, which they cannot afford in this title race.
Secondly with Chelsea to come at weekend and having beaten Arsenal on Sunday, this match could be a huge momentum shifter if City were to draw or lose and they cannot afford any injuries here.
I therefore can see a tight battle but Manchester City will just edge this as Pep Guardiola’s eye will be on the Chelsea clash.
Prediction: Everton 1-2 Manchester City
Jake predicts: Everton 0-3 Manchester City
Result: Everton 0-2 Manchester City