Everton FC – Manchester City
Boxing Day is traditionally one of the hottest days of the season in the Premier League. This year, five matches took place. But there are also exciting matches in England’s top flight one day later. In Liverpool, there will be a clash between the top and bottom of the table. You can find out who will come out on top in this clash in our Everton – Man City predictions.
However, the hosts are anything but a normal team in the bottom third of the table this season. The Toffees are lagging behind their own performance due to a ten-point deduction. Before Christmas, however, they suffered a 2-1 defeat at Spurs.
The visitors from Manchester, on the other hand, are at home in other parts of the table. However, City are currently outsiders in the championship battle. The Skyblues are currently in fifth place and six points behind league leaders Arsenal. However, the Citizens still have a game in hand
Everton – Man City info:
- Date & Time: 27.12.2023, 21:00 hrs.
- Venue: Goodison Park, Liverpool
- Competition: Premier League, Matchday 19
- TV broadcast: Sky
Everton Form & Balance Check
This season, Everton FC are not only struggling against strong opponents week in, week out, but also against a ten-point penalty from the league. This points deduction is also the reason why the Toffees are currently in a relegation battle and remain in 16th place. After the defeat against Tottenham on the last matchday, the team from Merseyside is listed in the table with 16 points.
However, if the ten points were added to their account, Everton would have very different hopes this season. The Toffees would then be in 10th place and still in touching distance of the European places
Strong defense
Liverpool and Arsenal currently share the title of the Premier League’s best defense. Both title contenders have currently conceded 16 goals. They are followed by Manchester City, who have conceded 20 goals with one game to spare. And then we find Everton FC in this statistic.
The Toffees have only conceded 22 goals so far and are correspondingly solid in defense. This strong statistic is also the work of coach Sean Dyche. The 52-year-old was already known during his time as Burnley coach for his rather pragmatic style of play, which focuses mainly on defensive stability
Everton facts & analysis
- In 16th place in the Premier League
- Four wins from the last five games
- Last lost 2-1 at Tottenham
Man City form & record check
The Citizens have won the English championship in five of the past six seasons under the direction of coach Pep Guardiola. In the previous season, the Skyblues also won the Champions League title for the first time. Shortly before Christmas, City also won their first Club World Cup. And this season, too, it will be a challenge to surpass Manchester City in the Premier League.
However, there has only been one win from the last six games, which has seen the Citizens slip to fifth place. The Skyblues have even suffered three defeats in the English championship. However, Man City traditionally only really get going in the second half of the season. Coach Pep Guardiola will also need such a run this season
Rodri hugely important
When asked who is the most important player for the Citizens, most people would probably name Kevin De Bruyne or Erling Haaland. However, the anchor in central midfield is Rodri. The Spaniard provides a lot of composure in front of the defense in every game and is also important in the build-up play.
Without the 27-year-old, the Citizens lack a certain stability. This has been particularly evident in the results so far this season. Rodri was suspended for three Premier League games and played the remaining 14 without exception. City conceded one defeat in each of these three games. With Rodri, however, the Sky Blues are still unbeaten this season
Man City facts & analysis
- In fifth place in the Premier League
- Best offense in the Premier League
- Won 4-0 against Fluminense in the final of the Club World Cup
Predicted line-up – last update on December 26, 2023
At Everton, we expect a 4-4-1-1 again against City. André Gomes could make his starting debut in this Premier League season after Idrissa Gueye’s injury.
Manchester City recently played a more classic 4-2-3-1 at the Club World Cup and we expect the Skyblues to adopt this system again against Everton. However, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland will still be missing through injury
Everton – Man City head-to-head & stats
The two teams have met a total of 132 times. Manchester City have won 53 of them. Everton, on the other hand, have only been successful 45 times. However, the Toffees have only beaten City twice in the league since 2013
- Everton’s last win against Man City was on 15/01/2017
- Everton have won just one of their last 19 league games against Man City
- The two teams are separated by 18 points in the league
