Everton vs Manchester City

After a fortnight break, the Premier League returns with a big Saturday evening game as Manchester City head to Goodison Park to face Everton.

Man City know that they can win the title next weekend but will have to fight their way past two North West rivals first, starting with the Toffees before hosting rivals – Manchester United on 7th April. 

Team news

Everton are without attacking midfielder, Gylfi Sigurdsson as he remains ruled out with a knee injury.

Defensive midfielder, James McCarthy remains out till start of next season as he continues his recovery from a broken leg.

Loanee, Eliaquim Mangala is also out for rest of season with a knee injury.

Defender, Ashley Williams completes a three match ban here so will be back in time for the Merseyside derby.

Manchester City could welcome Fabian Delph and Sergio Aguero back from muscle and knee injuries.

French left back, Benjamin Mendy is close to making a return but won’t be back till the home match against Swansea City.

Form

Cenk Tosun has four goals from his last three games.

Everton are unbeaten in three of their last five, scoring seven and conceding five with Cenk Tosun scoring four goals in the latter three games.

At home, the Toffees are unbeaten in last four since a 2-0 New Year Day defeat to Manchester United.

Manchester City come here having won four of last five in all competitions since a shock FA Cup exit at Wigan last month.

In that time, they have kept four clean sheets conceding two whilst netting ten goals.

Stat Attack

• Everton are unbeaten in four of last five league games against Manchester City.
• Three of those games finished as draws whilst Everton won here last season 4-0.
• Sam Allardyce lost his only previous meeting with Pep Guardiola 5-0 but at the Etihad, having taken charge of Crystal Palace mid season like he did this time with Everton.

Where game be won and lost?

This game could either be a one sided affair given Man City’s superior quality in attack and discipline when comes to fouls, or could be a tight cagey match based on the close goal and card averages.

If Everton are to realistically get anywhere near last year’s 4-0 home win, they going to need to score in both halves because City will be consistent throughout.

Scoring only 28% of home goals at home in first half won’t be enough because the match could be beyond them by the second half, when they click into gear if the Citizens can get two or three before the break.

On paper, Manchester City will win this clash due to their extensive quality all over the pitch, but the Toffees can get something here if they manage to score in both halves.

Prediction

This Everton side look like they’re just going through the motions now that safety is virtually secured.

Add in talks from players about next season then this should be an one sided affair, even if Tosun continues his recent form.

Prediction: Everton 1-3 Manchester City

Jake predicts: Everton 0-3 Manchester City

Result: Everton 1-3 Manchester City

Prediction Wars

Here at Sport Grill, me and Middlesbrough FC writer,  Jake Self are going head to head predicting  this season’s Premier League games.

This is how things stand after the previous round of games along with the rules.

Correct score – 3 points
Correct result – 1 point
Incorrect result – 0 points