Manchester City vs Everton: Premier League 2025/26 Pre-Match Report

Karun Abraham

Content Writer

Manchester City welcomes Everton to the Etihad Stadium for a high stakes Premier League encounter. Guardiola is aiming to maintain their push up towards the top of the table. On the other side, David Moyes’s Everton is looking to stage an upset and prove their progress this season.

Recent Form & Stakes

Manchester City

After a slightly uneven start to the campaign, City have regained their rhythm and now look strong across all competitions. They remain unbeaten since late August, displaying both attacking dominance and improved defensive structure. At home, the Etihad has once again become a fortress, with City dictating games through possession and positional play.

A win here could push them closer to the Premier League summit and strengthen their title defence. The main goal for Guardiola’s men will be maintaining consistency and avoiding complacency against a tricky Everton side.

Everton

Everton enter the fixture with mixed form but a boost in morale following their recent win over Crystal Palace. Moyes’ men have shown flashes of resilience and discipline, though their away record remains inconsistent. The Toffees will need to be sharp defensively and clinical when chances arise if they hope to leave Manchester with any points.

For Everton, even a draw would represent progress, given City’s strength at home and their own injury challenges.

Team News & Injuries

Manchester City

City faces some uncertainty in midfield with Rodri struggling with a minor hamstring issue. His absence would force a reshuffle, possibly involving Mateo Kovačić or Rico Lewis stepping into deeper roles. Jack Grealish remains sidelined with a muscle strain, while John Stones continues to build fitness after returning from a long layoff.

Guardiola still has a wealth of attacking options, with Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Julián Álvarez all expected to start. Their fluid front three will once again be central to City’s attacking approach.

Everton

For Everton, the big talking point is the absence of Jack Grealish, who cannot play against his parent club due to loan restrictions. His creativity and ball-carrying ability will be missed. Moyes may rely on Dwight McNeil, Abdoulaye Doucouré, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to provide attacking threat, while Tarkowski and Mykolenko will anchor a disciplined back line.

Moyes is expected to set his side up compactly, prioritising defensive shape and counter-attacking speed.

Tactical Outlook

City are likely to dominate possession as usual, employing a high pressing system and overlapping full-backs to stretch the pitch. Guardiola’s side will look to suffocate Everton with constant midfield rotations and fast ball circulation. Erling Haaland will be the primary goal threat, supported by Foden’s creativity and Álvarez’s movement between the lines.

Everton, meanwhile, will aim to absorb pressure and exploit any space left behind City’s advanced defensive line. Quick counter-attacks and set pieces will be their main weapons. Expect a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 structure focused on discipline and compactness, with transitions through McNeil and Calvert-Lewin.

City are likely to dominate possession as usual, employing a high pressing system and overlapping full-backs to stretch the pitch. Guardiola’s side will look to suffocate Everton with constant midfield rotations and fast ball circulation. Erling Haaland will be the primary goal threat, supported by Foden’s creativity and Álvarez’s movement between the lines.

Everton, meanwhile, will aim to absorb pressure and exploit any space left behind City’s advanced defensive line. Quick counter-attacks and set pieces will be their main weapons. Expect a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 structure focused on discipline and compactness, with transitions through McNeil and Calvert-Lewin.

Key Battles

• Rodri (or his replacement) vs Doucouré – control of the midfield tempo.
• Haaland vs Tarkowski – physical duels inside the box.
• Foden vs Mykolenko – creativity and defensive discipline on the flank.

Everton’s transitions vs City’s high line – how effectively the Toffees can counter when City overcommit.

Prediction & Scoreline

City’s depth, home advantage, and superior quality make them overwhelming favourites. Everton may stay organised early on, but is likely to struggle under sustained pressure. If City score first, the floodgates could open.

Predicted Score: Manchester City 3–1 Everton

Expect a dominant City performance with Haaland back among the goals, though Everton could nick one on the break through Calvert-Lewin or Doucouré.