Manchester City vs Everton
Date: 01/01/2020
K/O: 17:30
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Referee: Andre Marriner
Carlo Ancelotti has had a fruitful start to proceedings in the Premier League, with his newly taken-over side Everton making it six points from six available, after wins against Burnley and Newcastle United. In their way now are defending champions Manchester City, and while it would take a supernatural comeback of heroic proportions to do a ‘Threepeat’ of Premier League crowns, the defending champions will be unwilling to throw in the towel in January.
While the results have been welcome for Everton fans, one potential area of concern would be the fact all three Everton goals thus far have been scored by just one scorer: Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Having picked a 3-at-the-back formation for his first game in charge, and then a 4-at-the-back for his visit to St. James’ Park, Ancelotti may need some time to narrow down which formation works best for the club; something that could actually play into his hands owing to the lack of finality of the data available to Pep and his team ahead of their Etihad Stadium showdown.
Guardiola’s men have put in excellent displays on the attacking front in recent weeks, but their defensive counterparts have significantly let them down. De Bruyne and Co. will be looking to really get to Jordan Pickford’s net, but they’ll also need to be cautious of the threat posed on the counter, and from set-pieces.
The two teams put on a treat of a spectacle when they last met, with Ederson being the hero for the Citizens, as he inexplicably denied Yerry Mina on more than one occasion. If we see anything like the match that was on display at Goodison, we’re in for a New Year’s treat.
Match Facts
Man City’s Gabriel Jesus has scored in his last four Premier League matches against Everton. His total of five goals against the Toffees is the most he has scored against any top-flight side.
If Man City beat Everton it will be the first time they have won five Premier League matches in a row against the Toffees.
Everton are looking to win consecutive Premier League away matches for the first time since September 2016.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored five Premier League goals in December 2019, the most by a Toffees player in a single month since Romelu Lukaku also scored five in February 2017.
Manchester City have won their first league game of the year in 12 of the last 13 years; losing only to Sunderland in 2012 in that run.
Team News
Manchester City
Ederson was shown a red card against Wolves for bringing down Diogo Jota and denying him a clear goalscoring opportunity and since it wasn’t for violent conduct, he needed only to serve a one-match ban, which means he will be available for selection against Everton
Gabriel Jesus (illness) is also in contention, as Sergio Aguero likely will not be asked to play the majority of two games immediately after coming back from injury. As for Aymeric Laporte, although he was pictured back on the training ground, en route to a full recovery in January, this game comes too soon for him.
Elsewhere, John Stones and David Silva face late fitness tests, and both are unlikely to start.
Everton
Everton’s Morgan Schneiderlin (calf) is set to return to full training on Tuesday, but the match comes just too soon to allow him to feature.
Alex Iwobi (hamstring) continues his rehabilitation while Jean-Philippe Gbamin (thigh) and Andre Gomes (ankle) remain long-term absentees.
Predicted Starting XIs
Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson; Cancelo, Fernandinho, Eric Garcia, Zinchenko; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling
Everton (3-5-2): Pickford; Coleman, Mina, Keane; Sidibe, Sigurdsson, Bernard, Delph; Digne; Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Predicted Scoreline: Manchester City 2-1 Everton
I believe De Bruyne and Mahrez will link up well with Cancelo (or Walker) on the right-hand side to cause Everton some problems down the right I also expect goals to flow from this game, but while I don’t think City will be able to keep a clean sheet this time, I do expect them to outscore their dark blue counterparts and kick the new year off on the right foot.
