MY ACCOUNT
– Everton have conceded the first goal in their last three home games.
– Man City have won their last four away league games and led at HT in three of them.
– Everton have recovered just eight points from 23 losing positions this term.
– Recommended bet: Man City/Man City in HT/FT
Manchester City’s title defence continues when they face Everton, who eased their relegation fears with a win at Brighton last time out.
Toffees boss Sean Dyche described Monday’s stunning 5-1 away win as a “big step” in their fight to stay in the Premier League.
Following up that result against the reigning champions would resemble a final leap to safety for a club who now sit two points above the relegation zone in 17th place.
City, who have lost just four of their 34 league games to this point, can pile more pressure on title rivals Arsenal by winning before the Gunners play their next match.
Team news
Dyche reported no new injury concerns for the Citizens’ visit, although four players remain out.
Seamus Coleman underwent knee surgery this week and joins Andros Townsend (knee), Ben Godfrey (groin) and Ruben Vinagre (calf) in the Toffees’ treatment room.
Dyche will surely be reluctant to make changes after the manner of the win at Brighton.
As for Man City, defender Nathan Ake continues to be assessed after missing the Citizens’ 1-1 midweek draw at Real Madrid with a hamstring injury.
Some rotation can be expected ahead of the return leg with Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez all in contention to start.
The stats
Man City have won 10 consecutive league matches since a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest in February.
Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in 17 fixtures in all competitions, winning 15 and drawing two.
They rarely drop points against teams in the lower half of the table, failing to win only two of their 18 league clashes with clubs in the bottom ten so far this term.
However, one of those was against Everton, who ended a run of ten straight losses against City when they claimed a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium in December.
Prediction
Everton’s attempts to turn Goodison Park into a fortress have come unstuck lately, with just one point taken from their last three home games – and even that required a dramatic stoppage-time leveller.
Dyche’s team have been vulnerable to pace and trickery in wide areas, which City will have in abundance if Erling Haaland is joined by Foden and Mahrez in attack.
The Toffees did take a point at the Etihad with a backs-to-the-wall defensive display and a fine breakaway goal, which will form the basis of their game plan again.
But lightning tends not to strike twice against the champions, who will want to wrap up three points as early as possible in order to refocus on the upcoming Champions League return clash with Real Madrid.
City have led at the break in eight of their last 11 Premier League games, including four of their last five away from home, while Everton have had little joy in recovering points from losing positions this season.
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