Manchester City look to boost their Premier League title challenge in a home clash against Everton.
If Bournemouth fail to win elsewhere, victory could put Man City top of the table for at least a few hours.
Everton can go fifth with a win depending on results elsewhere.
Team News
Man City will be without Rodri after he suffered a hamstring injury during their win at Brentford before the international break.
Omar Marmoush (knee) and Rayan Ait-Nouri (ankle) could return but Abdukodir Khusanov (ankle) is still ruled out.
Everton will be without on-loan winger, Jack Grealish who is ineligible to face his parent club.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is available after he missed the Toffees’ comeback 2-1 win at home to Crystal Palace due to suspension.
Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring) and Merlin Rohl (groin) could return subject to fitness checks, whilst Michael Keane (ribs) and Nathan Patterson (unspecified) are doubts.
When is Kick-Off?
Man City host Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday 18 October at 3pm BST, albeit untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Man City are unbeaten in their last 16 league meetings against Everton (W13, D3).
- Everton are winless in their last 14 league trips to Man City (D6, L8).
- Two of Man City’s last three home games against Everton ended in 1-1 draws.
- Erling Haaland has been involved in ten league goals for City this season, having produced nine goals and one assist in seven appearances.
- James Garner has made more interceptions this season than any other Everton player, having produced 11 interceptions in seven league appearances.
Prediction
Although Man City found their groove in-between September and October’s international breaks, they weren’t exactly at their best in a scrappy but crucially clinical win at Brentford where their defensive resilience survived a firm test.
Everton meanwhile did well to defensively ride out Palace’s dominance before finding a late clinical flourish to snatch the win, but they will need to be absolutely robust in their defending here because this is no easy task for them especially with Haaland in hot form.
If Everton do go defensive and can frustrate City then I can see them snatching a draw but given the form that Haaland is in currently and the fact that Grealish is ineligible for the Toffees, I expect this to be an one-sided result.
Prediction: Man City 2-0 Everton
Result: Man City 2-0 Everton
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