Manchester City vs Everton: Can Manchester City Make It To The Top?

Manchester City are the current reigning champions of Premier League and in case they manage to win over Everton on lunchtime Saturday at Etihad Stadium, It is possible that they could go closer than their main competitors Liverpool midmost crowning Glory.

Manchester City edged off three goals to one against Brentford after trailing initially and Everton drew 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur in their recent match.

In the previous campaign, Manchester City lost to Brentford on their home turf and away from it by losing both games. Again, in their recent match, they were at a possible risk of losing another game this time round the Brentford score an own goal to Neal Maupay deep into the first half. However, Phil Foden scored just before halftime to bring it back even but with hope for City. Moreover, he added two more goals in the second half for a hat-trick to ensure City went home with all three points.

After that, Manchester City who are being managed by Pep Guardiola now have a two-point lead over Liverpool in the league ladder with another match to be played. They have been on a five-game win streak, winning their last nine games 27-6.

In this run, they defeated Everton 3-1 on their ground. They have had a formidable run against Everton in recent times, never dropping even one point from their last 13 games they've played them outright winning all but two which ended on draws.

It will be the month of three consecutive home games in league and that is a welcome ride for city who have enjoyed brilliant results at Etihad Stadium; winning 29, drawing five, while losing one from their last 35 matches. Moreover, the hosts have not lost any of their 23 last home league games with sides in relegation battle and on such record, they can be confident for this fixture against Everton.

Everton had a good streak until early December, winning four successive Premier League games without conceding in the first half. Nevertheless, in the course of over six league fixtures since then, they haven't won any. This has led them to drop into the lower three tiers of league ranking.

Their recent fixtures have been two zero draw games against Aston Villa and Fulham, followed by a 2-2 in which Jack Harrison and Jarrad Branthwaite found the net for Everton with an equalizer from Cuthbert late into added time to finish off on level terms. The two goals were the work of former Everton player Richarlison.

While Everton's luck was anything but the best on and off it, manager Sean Dyche said that late equalizer disclosed gruff character of his team. Through this outcome, he wants to propel the season into return and climb out of the danger zone.

As for Everton, they have not been performing so well lately with their relegation rivals Luton Town collecting respectable 8 points from the last 5 games while progressing above Everton in the standings. For Everton, their next six league games also involve five teams who are currently in the top eight adding to its woes.

Before the visit to Etihad against Manchester City on Saturday, Everton does not have a victory in their previous 12 visits; they lost seven and drew five. Furthermore, they have not beaten Manchester City in the Premier League since their 4-0 win on January of that year – Pep Guardiola's first game against Everton and his biggest league defeat as a manager.

Team News

Manchester City will be more than ready for this weekend as their entire squad was fully fit from Erling Haaland to Manuel Akanji, who waited on the bench throughout last game against Brentford.

When City has been able to lead just one league match in clean sheet within the past 12, manager Pep Guardiola may want to change things at defense. Akanji, John Stones and Rico Lewis are all keen to rise up the pecking order of the starting XI.

In midfield, Guardiola could play with Rodri alongside either Mateo Kovacic or Matheus Nunes. In the early stages of matches, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Dodu and Oscar Bobb will have to be man enough against Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva who were active in supporting Haaland during games.

At Everton, Arnaut Danjuma missed out on the last match against Spurs due to ankle injury and remains absent alongside Andre Gomes (calf) & Dele Alli(groin). Nevertheless, they could watch the comebacks of midfielders Amado Onana and Abdoulaye Doucoure from their injury absences. Godfrey should be fit, despite cramping in the last game.

Godfrey could now play on the right-back ahead of Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson. With Harrison and Dwight McNeil acting as wings, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is anticipated to spearhead the assault.

Possible Manchester City lineup:

Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake Gvardiol Samardzic Bernardo De Bruyne Alvarez furthermore Runnings Foden Haaland

Possible Everton lineup:

Pickford; Patterson, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison Garner Gueye Onana McNeil Calvert-Lewin