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Manchester City vs Everton: 15/12/2018 – match preview and predicted starting XIs

Manchester City vs Everton

Date: 15/12/2018

K/O: 15:00

Venue: Etihad Stadium

Referee: Craig Pawson

TV: Sky Sports Main Event

After their first loss of the season against Chelsea, Manchester City will look to return to winning ways as they welcome an out of form Everton side to the Etihad.

The Toffees had Lucas Digne to thank last time out after his sublime free-kick saved them a point against Watford, and after only picking up two points from a possible nine in their last three outings, Everton will be hoping to upset the Citizens once more and return to form.

A strong defensive performance from Chelsea is what kept City at bay last weekend, yet they recaptured some of their fine form during the week after Leroy Sane’s double saw off Hoffenheim in a 2-1 Champions League win. A win for the Citizens will put them back ahead of their title rivals Liverpool, who face Manchester United later in the weekend. Meanwhile, an Everton victory would put them ahead of the Red Devils before their kick off with their Merseyside rivals.

City have been formidable at home this season, but Everton always present them with a challenge. The current Champions have only beaten the Toffees twice in their last seven meetings, keeping one clean sheet in the process. Everton’s last three visits in the league to the Etihad have ended in draws and they will be hoping to show a similar level of resilience to earn a result once more. Everton have also scored seven goals against City since Pep’s arrival – more than any other side.

Marco Silva’s men have been poor of late though and two poor home performances against lesser opposition alongside their derby day defeat to Liverpool has caused confidence to dip. To add to this, the last time City lost to a team outside of the supposed ‘Big Six’ was back in January 2017; although this was against Everton in a 4-0 defeat at Goodison.

Manchester City will have to watch out for Richarlison who has adapted to his role up front for the Toffees, scoring eight goals so far this season. The Brazilian does not provide a physical threat, but his pace and skill has provided defenders with many problems so far this season. Everton are also a resilient side and their last-minute equaliser against Watford proved they are not out of a game until the final whistle.

Everton, on the other hand, will have to be wary of Man City’s world-class offensive outfit but particularly Raheem Sterling. The Englishman has just picked up the Premier League player of the month and has been directly involved in 26 goals in 21 Premier League home matches – scoring 17 and assisting nine. The winger’s game has improved significantly under Guardiola’s tactics and he has become one of the best attackers in the league; someone that any defence should be wary of.

Team News

Manchester City

Pep’s side face more injury problems as John Stones’ stint at right back in the Champions League lasted only 45 minutes before he hobbled off. City are also without Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne, Fernandinho, David Silva, Benjamin Mendy and Danilo providing the Spaniard with a difficult squad selection. However, the array of talent in the City side means they will still field a strong starting lineup. Sterling, Sane and Bernardo Silva have all been in sensational form this season and will have to show this form again if they are to dispose of Marco Silva’s side.



Everton

The Blues have been relatively injury free this season and the only key players they are without is James McCarthy, who is still recovering from a leg-break, and Idrissa Gana, who picked up a knock against Watford.Silva does however face problems as a few players have looked jaded in recent performances. The dilemma is whether he sticks with experienced players to play City or gives players a chance to impress.

Theo Walcott’s poor performances of late may see him sidelined for someone like Ademola Lookman. There could also be a shift in the middle of the park yet Andre Gomes has performed well of late and is a player Everton will be looking to sign permanently from Barcelona come January.

Predicted Starting XIs

Man City (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Laporte, Otamendi, Delph; Gundogan, Bernardo Silva; Sane, Sterling, Mahrez; Gabriel Jesus.

Everton (4-5-1): Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Mina, Digne; Gueye, Gomes, Bernard, Sigurdsson, Lookman; Richarlison.

Prediction: Manchester City 2 Everton 1

Everton’s period of poor performances means that the City game has come at an unfortunate time. Guardiola’s side will be looking to be ruthless after their first Premier League loss this season and will perhaps be too much for Everton’s defence to handle. Either way, this fixture always promises to be an exciting one. Everton’s strong defence will provide City with problems but City’s attacking line may just edge the game in favour of the Citizens.

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