Everton vs Man City preview
Everton will face a stern test when they welcome league leaders Manchester City to Goodison Park on Sunday.
The Toffees dropped two points in a home clash with newly-promoted Watford but Roberto Martinez’s charges bounced back with a massive 0-3 away victory at Southampton.
The movement from Everton’s attacking midfielders was impressive in that win but it was Romelu Lukaku who stole the show. The Belgian produced a complete centre forward’s performance, with excellent runs in behind as well as good link-up play and finishing.
Martinez realises that this may be the worst time to face Manchester City given their form but the Toffees boss is hoping his charges retain the standards they showed at St Mary’s.
Everton will need to be at their best and even that may not be enough as they face a Manchester City side that Manuel Pellegrini rightly described as hungry and angry at how they defended their title last season.
The Citizens have had a bright start to the season with six goals and two clean sheets in their opening games. Their victory over Chelsea last weekend was the biggest statement of intent for Pellegrini’s men. They were the better side both defensively and offensively against the reigning champions.
City have also bolstered their defensive options with Nicolas Otamendi joining Eliaquim Mangala, Martin Demichelis and Vincent Kompany as four top class defenders vying for two places in Pellegrini’s team.
Otamendi was one of the best defenders in La Liga last season while Kompany and Mangala have started the season in fine form so Manchester City should be a lot stronger at the back this term.
Everton team news
- Steven Pienaar (hamstring), Tony Hibbert (knee) and Leighton Baines (ankle) are expected to miss out through injury.
- Aiden McGeady (hamstring) and Darron Gibson (ankle) could miss the welcome of City as well.
Manchester City team news
- Fernando (muscular) is likely to remain sidelined for City, though summer signing Fabian Delph (hamstring) is nearing a return to fitness. Delph could be available next week.
- New arrival Otamendi may have to make do with a place on the bench initially.
Everton vs Manchester City prediction
Everton’s performance last week could compel Martinez to stick to the same side that defeated the Saints. That means Kevin Mirallas, Steven Naismith and Gerard Deulofeu may all start on the bench.
The likely change for the Toffees is to their formation. They started with a 4-1-4-1 formation last week but Gareth Barry may struggle to police the entire area in front of the defenders alone given how clever City’s attacking midfielders are.
James McCarthy could double-pivot with Barry, with Ross Barkley as the central attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 formation. If Martinez retains the side that started last time out then Tom Cleverley and Arouna Kone may be the wide attacking midfielders with Lukaku leading the attack.
Pellegrini will probably make only one change from the side that thumped Chelsea last weekend. Pablo Zabaleta could come in at right-back to add more offensive threat, with his overlapping runs creating overloads with Jesus Navas.
Fernandinho is likely to be the main holding midfielder with Yaya Toure allowed to break forward and join David Silva in roaming centrally. Raheem Sterling will also join those attacking midfielders by drifting inside from the left flank. The English forward will attempt to make runs in behind Seamus Coleman when Everton’s full-back pushes beyond the halfway line.
The key player for City will obviously be Sergio Aguero. Chelsea struggled to deal with the way he created space for himself last weekend. Barry may have to squeeze the space in front of the central defenders to limit the area Aguero can drop into. Aerially, John Stones and Phil Jagielka should be comfortable against the Argentina international.
The other problem for Everton could be Aleksandar Kolarov’s threat. The left-back is not only dangerous with his quality, low crosses, but also times his forward runs perfectly. Should Kone be the wide attacking midfielder, he may not have the defensive awareness to keep track of the full-back’s movement.
Score prediction
Everton 1-3 Manchester City.
