Week 18 – Man City vs Everton – Sport Grill

Manchester City look to halt their slide in a tough Boxing Day clash against Everton. 

Victory will put City up to fifth for at least a few hours, whilst Everton can stay 15th with a win.

Team News

Man City could welcome Ederson back in goal after he missed their 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa due to illness.

Matheus Nunes (knock) and John Stones (foot) are unlikely to be available.

Ruben Dias (muscle), Oscar Bobb (leg) and Rodri (knee) remain ruled out.

Everton could welcome Armando Broja back after he was ineligible to feature in their goalless draw against Chelsea.

Dwight McNeil (knee) is a doubt but Ashley Young is suspended following his fifth booking of the season last weekend.

James Garner (back) and Tim Iroegbunam (foot) remain absent.

When is Kick-Off?

Man City host Everton at Etihad Stadium on Thursday 26 December at 12:30pm GMT, live on Amazon in the UK.

Stat Attack

• Man City are unbeaten in their last 14 league meetings against Everton (W12, D2).
• Everton are winless in their last 13 league visits to Man City (D5, L8).
• Man City are yet to keep a clean sheet at home to Everton on Boxing Day (W2, L2), of which they won one and lost two fixtures by 3-1 result.
• This is the first time that City have hosted Everton on Boxing Day this century, having suffered a 3-1 loss on their last such occasion in 1968.
• City have won just one of their last 12 games in all competitions (W1, D2, L9).
• Everton have failed to score in their last four away games (D2, L2).

Prediction

With mounting pressure and one win in their last 12 games in all competitions, City need to find a way to turn their possession into clinical attacking opportunities following a wasteful loss at Villa.

Everton have struggled in their last 13 visits to City but if they can soak up the pressure like in their last two games, I give them a good chance of a shock win if can be clinical when get on the attack.

Those opportunities though will be rare for Everton if City dominate but given the hosts’ deteriorating confidence, this does feel like a game where Sean Dyche’s Toffees can get a result.

Prediction: Man City 1-1 Everton